Recent Blogs

How do we determine the value of something? In our workplaces, churches, and even our extracurricular activities, there are often expectations that we are supposed to meet and metrics by which we are evaluated.

What if we asked our family and friends to tell us what the people around us think of us? We might be surprised at what they say. The thing that may surprise us the most is the wide range of characteristics they used to explain how they think of us - much of which we won't agree with. What some people think of us may be far different from how we think of ourselves. Those people may think that way not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of what their expectations of us are and if we measure up to those expectations or not.

We are concerned about the care that we give to each other or need ourselves, especially when we face difficult situations that require special assistance to help us through them.

When you are going through hardships, how do you deal with them? Are you frustrated and feel that it is unfair that you must endure those tough circumstances? Does jealously overtake you when you see others around you having a good time while you are in the "winter of your discontent?"

What tradition has had the most influence in forming the person that you are now? Think about your family, racial, ethnic or tribal traditions. Consider your civic or social club traditions. Remember the scientific or sporting traditions you have engaged in. Finally, center on the influence of your religious and spiritual traditions as a child, teen and adult. Our religious traditions should bind us closer to God and each other in both thought and action when we participate in them.

Most of us want life and to have it more abundantly. This is a saying that has its' roots in the gospel of John. We know that we want to have abundant life because most people live their life in pursuit of that dream. What is abundant life and how do we achieve it?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you'd like to say something, but you just can't get a word in? Maybe everyone else is talking so much and there's just no space for your voice, or you feel strongly about what's being said and you're afraid you'll come off as angry if you open your mouth?

Finding a balance in our life is very important. If we are to be balanced in our life as believers in God and followers of Christ, we find out what we are missing, then add that to what we have and seek to balance them out. As local churches we often tip the scales sharply to one side or another of that range of God's love. Many local churches are focused on strengthening their congregants' spiritual development.

This week, I am looking at the ways that we assess the needs of those with whom we communicate. In our conversations, we can gather specific information directly about someone's life at home, school, or work or in face-to-face or phone conversations, a casual conversation can help me find out how those I talk to are doing spiritually and emotionally. We also can connect while sharing some laughs and assess their responses indirectly in this way.

How do you feel about the miraculous happenings in the Bible? Some of us may believe that those miracles actually happened in the past and are still happening in the present as a response to severe human hardships. Others of us may believe that those miraculous stories are meant to highlight the need for us to positively affect the lives of those who are suffering in poverty or illness that leads to transformational results, but the stories are not true accounts.

This Sunday's bible reading from Mark 6:14-29 tells of the death of the prophet, John the Baptizer, who plainly spoke the truth, as he saw it, against the governor of his province and his wife and paid the ultimate price for keeping it real. And also due to the unwitting whim of the governor, Herod Antipas and his wife Herodias, a clever trickster.