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...

When was the last time someone gave you a perfect gift? What was it? Who gave it to you? What made it perfect? Several years ago, my brother-in-law gave me an...

The New International Version of Psalm 45:6 says, “Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.” If you’re like...

Psalm 45 arose from an occasion of joy—a wedding. It is a song attributed to the Sons of Korah, who were descendants of one of Moses’ cousins. They were musicians who...