Ananias appears in the story of the conversion of Saul to Paul. He gets forgotten for his role. He is the one who welcomes Saul even though he is afraid. He is a faithful servant and follows the call of God. Who has acted like Ananias in your life? Who has welcomed you into a new setting or way of life? When have you been Ananias for others? When have you done the welcoming? Watch for Ananias to be in your life or your opportunities this week.

Support the show

Peter is one of my favorite disciples. He is bold and brash yet doesn't always understand what he says. He is the one who says he would die for Jesus yet denies Christ three times. Jesus reconciles him on the shore after the resurrection and then Peter is big and bold and is the voice for the Gospel in the book of Acts. Peter states he must obey God and not humans. Peter must stand up for mercy and love, even if it upsets the empire. We too are called to be agents of life. To speak for those who have been silenced and to offer justice and mercy to all. How might you be an agent of life this week?

Support the show

A pastor once said this in a sermon. "God's grace is always at your left elbow." Years later that has stuck with me. It was with me through 2 surgeries, I have used it in meeting with others. I pondered this with a couple of people in my congregation and one of them had an answer that made so much sense. "If God's grace is at your left elbow, you are at the right hand of God." The right hand in the ancient world was the side of strength, power and blessing. So for God's grace to be at your left elbow, God's right hand is beside you. Love it!

Support the show

As we arrive at Easter, we have come through the darkness of Holy Week. The tender moments in the upper room replaced with the fear and frenzy of the Passion on Good Friday, although Jesus remains calm. It reminded me of Psalm 23 and that as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death that God walks with us. A reminder that we must walk through the darkness to get to the light. How can we live in calm and not in fear as we seek to share the light and love of Jesus?

Support the show

We have entered Holy Week. The palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna" have faded, and if we rush directly to Easter and "Hallelujah!" we miss so much of the story. Holy Week is hard. In the Gospel of Luke the Triumphal Entry is in chapter 19 and Easter is Chapter 24. The teaching, cleansing of the temple, Last Supper, betrayal, arrest, denial, trial, beating, mocking and crucifixion that occur are the hard parts and they are also the necessary parts. Without the hard parts, we miss that God is with us through all of the hard parts of life. Pause this week and remember that God holds the hard parts too.

Support the show

In Micah 6:8 the question is asked "What does the Lord require of you?" The answer is to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. I have met with people from 2 different organizations in my community. The way things are currently, these groups helped me see ways in which I might have an impact in a good way on the community around me and on people in the world. I invite you to check out The Good Faith Network and Unbound as well as groups in your community where you can get involved and make a positive difference in the world.

Support the show

This Lenten season I have been preaching about temptations as found in Luke's gospel. Luke sends the disciples into a Samaritan village and when they are not welcomed they are ready to fight. Jesus turns anger into grace. At a meal and Jesus watches the people try to sit in the seat of honor, he tells a story about humility and how to do for those who cannot repay you. This week, the Rich young ruler goes away said when Jesus tells him to sell all he has - money is his idol. So what are our idols? How do we deal with the temptation of wealth?

Support the show

I found out that FDR used to have "Children's Hour" which was a cocktail hour before dinner. It was for close family and friends. The big rule, no business talk. He used the time before dinner to take a deep breath and to relax a bit. We all need to take that time. Dig in the garden, go for a walk, have dinner with friends, play a game, what can you do this week to take a deep breath?

Support the show