Hello Sojourners,I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather today! As I mentioned in my sermon on Sunday, this coming week we have the joy of hearing Mark Mullery, a pastor at Redeeming Grace Church, preach on fear--an important topic any time, but especially right now.This will be a...
Something strange happens when I join a Zoom call. My brain takes several minutes to focus and concentrate like it’s rebelling against the unnatural gathering. Trouble focusing has become the norm for me — a thought will flit into my mind like a hummingbird, insert its beak into...
Hello Sojourners,As we look ahead to Sunday we will be in John 7:25-52 with a focus on what Jesus says in v. 37-38. Here are some questions for you to consider as you study the text this week: Be reminded of the context of what is going on, where Jesus is, and who he is speaking to. What...
“For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ” (Colossians 2:5, ESV). A few days ago, I mentioned to a group of brothers and sisters that some of the people I connect with on video...
The last few weeks have been challenging for our world and country. But the last few days have felt especially hard. I’ve been praying and processing. Wondering what to say and how to say it. I’m not sure I’ve figured that out yet, so bear with me for a longer note. On Thursday...
How much will people change as the result of these past weeks? What will that change look like? A quick scroll through Twitter reveals heroic stories of profound generosity as well as distasteful tales of selfishly motivated actions. Change can bring out the best in some and the worst in others...
Beloved, As we are together alone, I pray you are not allowing socially distancing to mean you are also being emotionally or spiritually distant from others. May we NOT drown in the sea of either self-pity or self-preservation. Here are a few ways to engage community: Commune w/ the...
Quarantine may feel like a gift at times while other days play out like the inescapable loop in Groundhog Day. However, in the quiet moments do you wonder what the Lord is accomplishing through our present place? Set Free “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him...
Sojourners,I hope you've been able to stay engaged with our Seeing Jesus sermon series over this time of stay-at-home orders and social distancing. I can't wait until we are able to enjoy God's word together again in person. I love the Gospel of John and I especially love John 6. This...
As a small, teenage shepherd boy, David protected his family’s sheep from lions and bears — by punching them in the face (1 Samuel 17:35)! Before David was confronted with slaying Goliath, God had been preparing his heart through some pretty terrifying circumstances to store up trust...