Stewardship ≠ money

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means,Continue reading “Stewardship ≠ money”

Fear not failure…

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his gloriousContinue reading “Fear not failure…”

What to do?

And they said to him, The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink. And Jesus said to them, Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away fromContinue reading “What to do?”

Gifts in the mission…

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one canContinue reading “Gifts in the mission…”

Harmony is not agreement but unity

Romans 15:1-6 (NRSV) We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insultContinue reading “Harmony is not agreement but unity”

2 trees or not 2 trees – that is the question

We get so hung up on the fruit and the tree and the serpent being the devil and a bunch of stuff that we learned in Sunday School that simply isn’t in the Bible. I wonder sometimes why the apple got the short straw on being the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. Was thisContinue reading “2 trees or not 2 trees – that is the question”

Do not be afraid

Revelation 1 starts the vision of John. Today’s reading is Revelation 1:9-18. Her John is told to write down all he sees so that the vision can be shared. But in this opening John sees 7 lamp stands and one stands among them dressed in white.John writes “I saw one like the Son of Man,Continue reading “Do not be afraid”

Labor not in vain…

Have you ever done something and had it completely fall apart around you? Started a project that just crumbled around you as you tried to carry it out? Had a wonderful idea that once you started to put it in motion you realized that it was not going to succeed? What is success? We eachContinue reading “Labor not in vain…”