“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know  that you have eternal life.” — 1st John 5:13 November 1st is All Saints’ Day on the historic, traditional calendar of the Christian church. All Saints’ Day is a time to remember those who…

“We know that we are children of God”   — 1st John 5:19 There are lots of ways you can identify yourself. Let’s borrow one from Twelve Step programs: introduce yourself by name, and then say, “and I’m a child of God.” I’ll start.  My name’s Joe, and I’m a child of God. Your turn.

“We know that God’s Son  has come and has given us the understanding to know the one who is true.” —1st John 5:20 God wants us to know more than information. God wants us to know and understand the source of both knowing and understanding. And that source is spelled with a capital S. “But…

“I write these things…so that you may know….” 1st John 5:13 Why bother? What’s the point? Is there even any purpose? Questions like those make their way to the surface during bad times. For our next several times together here, we’ll think together about handfuls of certainty. If you want to get a head start,…

“Arise, shine” — Isaiah 60:1 What are we waiting for? It’s time. Right now. What’s one thing you can do today to follow this direction?

“Your servant is listening” —1st Samuel 3 True for us? Or are we so busy talking that we’re forgeting to listen to God today?

“I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” —Psalm 23:6, King James Version “Forever’s a long time.”  A youth group guy told me that.  Had to agree. In classic tent meeting revivalistic terms, the big question is “Where will you spend eternity?” In a profound sense, this which we call Time, our Present Tense…

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life“ —Psalm 23:6 Rainy days and Mondays.  Karen Carpenter sang about them. Lonely days when I could not find a friend.  James Taylor sang about them. Yesterday, when all my troubles seemed so far away.  That band from Liverpool sang about it. Our…

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” —Psalm 23:6 “Can I keep this puppy?  He followed me home,” said kids onscreen to parents in days gone by. Everywhere that Pigpen went in the classic “Peanuts” comic strips, there was a cloud of dust, dirt and debris.  It not only…

“Surely….” —Psalm 23:6 Our Psalm’s last verse opens like a case of fireworks exploding in the back seat of your car. In place of uncertainty and doubt, Psalm 23:6 gives us the unequivicable. Many of us memorized this as the simple word “Surely.” Other translations read “Yes” and “Only.” It’s just one word…but what a…