Celebrating the Now and the Not-Yet by Rachel Mumaw-Schweser, Pastoral Resident
I see him but not now; I behold him but not near – a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel … Numbers 24:17a Who do you think is the star and the scepter when you read this verse? Since it’s Advent, I wouldn’t be surprised if your […]
Pout Pout or Kiss Kiss? What Are You Spreading This Advent? by Melissa Bryson Dowling
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Psalm 85: 10 (NRSV Updated Edition) Parenting advice has found its way to me more times than I prefer. I typically find unsolicited advice, even from the kindest of souls, to be more judgmental than helpful. However, learning by example has been […]
Expecting God’s Grace by Lisa Shoemaker
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 In this passage, Israel is looking very hopefully to the future, a time when God’s amazing grace will ease their fears and rescue the Israelites from captivity, wars, and God’s anger. They are praising God for his […]
Unwrapping Grace by Carroll Makemson
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Ephesians 4:7 For over fifty years, the magnifying glass lay in the drawer of my father’s World War II Army surplus desk. As a child, I admired its sleek black handle, its rich-looking hardware, and its perfectly round and convex lens. […]
God Is On the Move by Teresa Miller
“Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord … Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling … God is on the move! Zechariah 2:10-13 (NIV/The Message) In days, all my kids will be […]
Unwrapping Peace by Sanford Beckett
Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11 (Good News Translation) What approach do you take to unwrap a Christmas present? Are you like one in our family who slowly and carefully removes the tape so the paper […]