Lion King
An endearing scene in the animated Disney movie, Lion King, is the formal presentation of Simba, the newborn son of King Mufasa and Queen...
The Lord's Prayer
Jesus gave his disciples a prayer that we call “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4). Though we can pray the words as they...
Honor
“Elders who direct the affairs of the church well,” the apostle Paul wrote, “are worthy of double honor” (1 Timothy 5:12). In accord...
Christmas Mix
by Carrie Blythe Davies In my experience, church-goers at Christmastime love to sing traditional Christmas carols. And this is great,...
47 Ronin
Most countries have stories that highlight the historical values of the nation. Recently, I learned about the Japanese story of the 47...
Everyday
There are times when God acts in great and powerful ways (Isaiah 29:5-7). More typically, the work of God in us is subtle and gradual....
Schoolhouse 1884
A week ago, six church leaders met at a schoolhouse, built in 1884, in the final stages of restoration. Their aim was to share insights...
Empty
There are times, for all of us, when we are running on empty. Like Elijah, these times can come when we least expect them. The adrenaline...
Anchors
Thunderstorms, snowstorms, sandstorms, hurricanes, and tornados remind us that few places on earth are exempt from storms. Neither are...
Boulders, Rocks, and Pebbles
The way the Holy Spirit strives to change us can be illustrated by a family that buys property in the mountains, sight unseen, with the...
Rest
Our physical bodies are marvelously engineered. Along with our mind, emotions, will, and—in biblical language—our heart, the complexity...
Something Old, Something New
As pandemic restrictions ease, you may be (more than) ready to return to church-life-as-usual. But first, take time to consider positive...
Koinonia
As pandemic disruptions ease, will you return to church? You may be seriously asking: Why be part of the Church? Why participate in a...
Seeds of Faith
by Karah Leaman There is a strange sweet camaraderie among those who find themselves together in the margins. In our German city of...
Surf's Up!
by Les Cool As summer approaches, you may be eager to get to the beach. Envision the pounding surf as a metaphor for this pandemic year....