We are bombarded with news of violence, killings, wars, famine, climate change, fires, hunger, and separations—all hitting us like giant waves. We often want to hide from the traumatic reality of...

As Jesus leaves the region of Tyre and heads toward the Sea of Galilee, word of his healing power spreads quickly throughout the area. As I read this story three words...

In today’s reading, a mother with strong faith approaches Jesus and begs him to free her daughter from an unclean spirit. The interchange in this story has challenged Jesus’ followers for...

My family attends a large-membership, multi-cultural United Methodist Church that recently made an official decision to become a reconciling congregation, meaning we commit to being a welcoming space for persons who...

Today we find ourselves in the letter of James, dealing with issues of showing favoritism, berating the poor, dealing dishonestly, and professing faith without works to support our beliefs. Martin Luther...

The Psalms invite us to experience our emotions and senses—joys, sorrows, adoration, prayer, strength, weakness, sights of grandeur, sounds of praise, feelings of majesty, and the sweet tastes of creation. You...

Proverbs, one of five Wisdom books in the Bible, is a collection of truths and sayings intended to shape our lives into contributions for the whole community, lives that are gifts...

There’s a sense of urgency that comes across in these verses. In verse 14, Jesus is decidedly emphatic, saying to the crowd, “Listen to me . . . and understand.” I...

I’m inclined to side with the Pharisees here. Isn’t their question innocent enough? Isn’t Jesus’ response a little harsh? I’m someone who appreciates tradition and can have a hard time breaking...

Not long ago, I started writing notes to myself and placing them on the bulletin board that hangs above my desk. These messages include character traits that I want to exhibit...