~ Isaiah 60:1-6 / Matthew 2:1-12 ~ Light is a powerful symbol especially in places where darkness seems to overwhelm. The biblical writers were very aware of the power of that symbol. Writing in times steeped in despair and worry and seeming hopelessness, they sought to deliver a message … Read More
~ Luke 1:26-38; 47-55 ~ 26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, … Read More
~ John 1:6-8, 19-28 / Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11 ~ John comes preaching the coming of the Messiah. John comes preaching the light. John comes, echoing the words of Isaiah, as one crying in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of God.” And thus, the Gospel of John sets us up … Read More
~ Isaiah 40:1-11/Mark 1:1-3 ~ The summer of 1741 found Charles Jennens quite excited. Jennens was a literary and musical man of leisure (which means he didn’t have a job nor did he need one) who was a great admirer of George Frideric Handel. In fact, he had already furnished … Read More
~ Mark 13:24-37 ~ It was my first day on the job. I got hired right out of college to be a youth minister for a national youth evangelism organization in Denver. My first responsibility was to drive a vanload of board members over the mountains to Utah for a … Read More
Luke 17:11-19 In hearing the gratitude sentiments that Cindy and Bill read for us, did you notice a hint of admonishment? People should be grateful and if you’re not, well, you should change your attitude – a gratitude attitude! It’s as if gratitude is not the norm of human experience … Read More