The two books of I & II Timothy were written by Paul, and the end of his life to the young preacher Timothy. These letters warn Timothy about the approaching …
210903 Weekly Meditation
One of the loveliest passages in the Old Testament is one found in Numbers 6:22-27. In this text, God tells Moses to instruct Aaron in the fine art of blessing …
210905 Weekly Devotional
Daily Bible Readings: Monday, August 30. Read Luke 15-24. Proverbs describes Lady Wisdom as someone who builds a house for hospitality, cooks a sumptuous meal, and invites guests. 1) How …
210829 Vanity of Vanities
The text for this week’s sermon is Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 in which the writer, called Koheleth, concludes that life is a participation in vanity and meaninglessness. The whole book, except for …
210825 Weekly Meditation
Worship was awkward where I went to church as a child. Whether the Sunday morning worship was acceptable depended on a very strict rite, from which we could not deviate. …
210820 Weekly Meditation
I got a shot today. I made the appointment yesterday and walked into the Pharmacy today at 9:30 AM. There was no significant line. No protestors. Nothing much to fill …
210811 Weekly Meditation
My granddaughter, Jenna, sent me a book recently; she found it in the Tampa airport. She is a bookworm and reads really good stuff, so I take notice if she …
Ten Reasons to Choose Merced
When talking to another person/s about Merced and LifeSpring, it is important to be able to say more than “We’re really nice people, and you should move here.” Clearly, that …
210815 Weekly Devotional
Daily Bible Readings: Monday, August 9. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12. 1) What did Paul say God has taught us as brothers and sisters? 2) How did he think we should …
210803 Weekly Devotional
Text–Luke 9:57-62: 57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, …
210815 Weekly Devotional
Daily Bible Readings: Monday, August 9. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12. 1) What did Paul say God has taught us as brothers and sisters? 2) How did he think we should …
210829 Weekly Devotional
Daily Bible Readings: Monday, August 23. Read Deuteronomy 18:21-22. 1) What question does Moses raise in this text? 2) What is his answer to that question? 3) What can we learn from this in …
210730 Weekly Meditation
Background: Douglas John Hall writes that Christians are only able to judge their current period of time from the vantage point of a created being. So we know what is …
210808 Weekly Devotional
Daily Bible Readings: Monday, August 2. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-26. 1) What did Paul say about gifts? 2) For what are gifts to be used? 3) What does Paul say …
210725 Weekly Devotional
Daily Bible Readings: Monday, July 19. Read Psalm 89:3-4, 34-37. 1) What promise did God make to David? 2) What did God say about the durability of the promise? Tuesday, …
210718 Weekly Devotional Guide
Daily Bible Readings: Monday, July 5. Read Psalm 15. 1) This is an entrance Psalm, commonly thought to be what ancient Jews would sing before going into the temple/before God. What is the …
210711 Weekly Devotional
Daily Bible Readings: Monday, July 5. Read Daniel 7:13-14. 1) Who do you think the one was that “came with the clouds of heaven?” 2) What power did he hold? …
210704 Weekly Devotional
Daily Bible Reading: Monday, June 28. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-3. 1) Paul did not want his brethren to be “misinformed.” From where did that misinformation come? 2) What would the …
Conspiracy Theories and the Golden Calf
I fear that the “conspiracy theory” is with us to stay. I know that conspiracy theories have always been with us, but the current iteration is frightening beyond words. Like …
210627 Weekly Devotional
Devotional Texts: Monday, July 21. James 2:1-7. 1) How do people generally regard the poor? 2) What is the paradox of the poor according to James? Tuesday, July 22. Revelation …