discern ⁽²⁵⁾

Psalm 2, Colossians 3:1–17, Acts 11:19–26 One of the blessings and one of the curses of being American is the freedom to decide who we are. One of the biggest struggles between immigrants and their children is the change of identity. As much as most…

Genesis 22:1–18, Isaiah 45:11–17, Matthew 4:1–11 Genesis has many passages in it that Christians, Jews, and non-believers stumble over. Often it is our own pride, and sometimes it is us looking back upon those “backward and ignorant” people, with all our knowledge and obviously “better”…

Deuteronomy 9:13–21, Luke 21:34–38, Hebrews 3:12–19 The culture wars are over. Or are they? Just this week, the Chinese government reaffirmed its attack on Christianity, promising to root out any “Westernizing” characteristics to Chinese culture. The conference last month held by the United Methodist Church…

Isaiah 52:1–53:12, John 15:17–16:2, 2 Timothy 2:1–10 “(He/She/They) never impressed me much.” This phrase is often spoken when someone leaves in disgrace, or leaves well and everyone who remains is jealous. This phrase is also used when famous people do stupid or immoral acts that…

Psalm 1, Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 Has someone ever said to you, “I don’t trust anyone?” First, imagine living life like that. Someone who lives such a paranoid life could never be happy. You cannot love if you cannot trust. Second, anyone who says…