Joy ⁽⁸⁰⁾

Psalm 105:1–15, 2 Chronicles 20:1–22, Luke 13:22–31 We often feel powerless in comparison to the world around us. The current pervasive feeling is that normal people do not have a voice in the government that is supposed to be theirs. Many people feel powerless in…

Isaiah 58:1–12, Psalm 51:1–17, Matthew 6:19–21 Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, the reflective Christian journey to the cross. One of the symbolic pieces are the ashes themselves. The “official” tradition is that the ashes are from last year’s Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is…

2 Chronicles 6:32–42; Jeremiah 31:7–14 Solomon was ceremoniously blessing the newly constructed Temple. There is a lot of political pomp and circumstance that is part of the ceremony. It would have been expected, and much of the political speech dressed up in religious language had…

Psalm 26, Matthew 18:1-4, James 4:7-12 A child-like faith. That is the greatest gift an adult could ask for. All too often, however, we get caught up in our own heads, hearts and hurts. A child can look to God in faith and trust. We…

Psalm 97, Hebrews 1:1-2:9, Galatians 4:4-7 During this Holy Day, in the midst of gift-giving, family, loneliness, heartache, healing, hurting…look to God. Two holidays often are the most bittersweet, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The joy of gratitude (Thanksgiving) and celebration of the Savior (Christmas) can get…