Where It Begins

January 7, 2024
Mark’s version, church tradition tells us, is based upon Peter’s recollection.  Mark was secretary and personal assistant to Peter in his last years.  Mark’s—Peter’s—account begins, not with a genealogy, nor…

A Love Worth Sharing

June 4, 2023
It’s not hard to think of biblical lands as wilderness and wasteland: Big Bend as far as the eye can see, but remember that the land God promised His people…

The Gift of the Way

January 8, 2023
In Matthew’s account, Jesus tells John the Baptist that it’s good for John to baptize Jesus, in order to “fulfill all righteousness.”  Jesus, who had no sin and did no…

I Will Be with You

January 9, 2022
God created us for a purpose.  There is a reason you and I are here: here on this earth, here in this church this morning.  The reasons are connected.  Through…
          God’s love is “one another” love.  This makes perfect sense, for God is one God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.  John was writing in a situation where people in…

Ordinary Light

January 10, 2021
          God created.  There is so much wonder and joy, power and glory in those two words.  I have no way to unpack that here, today, in this hour, but…

Opened

January 12, 2020
Have you ever been at the grocery store and seen what you wanted there on the top shelf, and realized, after trying a few times, that you would need help…

Spirit and Fire

January 13, 2019
John didn’t look like a Messiah, didn’t act like a Messiah, but some thought that maybe he kind of spoke like a Messiah, so they wondered: Is John the Messiah? …

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

December 23, 2018
Though you are small, I will bring forth great things from you (5:2).  This is what God is saying.  Encouragement for Bethlehem.  Encouragement for Bethel.  Words of encouragement for every…

A Way in the Wilderness

December 9, 2018
We hear this list of names at the beginning of this third chapter of Luke’s account, and we probably don’t think much about it.  There are so many lists of…