For the transformation of the world, we study God's Word in context to be equipped to live Jesus' Way.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19, the Apostle Paul calls believers to live a life of gratitude, prayer, and discernment, emphasizing the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances. This passage highlights a framework for Christian living that encourages humility, community, and a deep reliance on God’s grace. I don’t know about you, but this past summer […]
Today’s culture is often unkind to Christians, viewing us as soft targets known for turning the other cheek. How do we live in a world so opposed to Jesus’ teachings, Christian beliefs, and the values He commands without being overcome by the culture around us? Let’s look at a first century church to find out. […]
With all the books and systems and popular culture fads available right now for self-transformation, I felt led to share what we as Wesleyan theologians have used for a couple hundred years. We all need something that is useful every day, or every week, depending on how busy the schedule, to humbly reflect on where […]
Based on the study of Romans 12 Recently, “Open My Eyes” from the United Methodist Hymnal spoke to my heart. Specifically… Whether studying history or today’s headlines it’s frightening to see what human beings do to each other. We see history unlike those living it, results in context, and judge, “how could people not see […]
The Methodist movement began in 18th century England. But when The Church of England refused to ordain some of John Wesley’s Methodist preachers preparing to be sent to America, God made a way. There was urgent need because The Church of England’s priests had returned home leaving no one in America to administer the sacraments […]
Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I came not to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his […]
A friend asked, “Do manipulated words manipulate people?” We were discussing the ongoing war on words and representations and the division and pain it causes. We discussed that two things can be true at the same time, like it can be sunny and raining, I’ve experienced that irony often. But two totally opposite things cannot […]
Recent events have brought this question to the forefront of many minds. Although we ask it over and over, the answers never change. You and I have a choice in life, the option to do good or bad. We have free will, a gift from God. Our choices, and those made by others near to […]
A question came to me by email from someone who watches services online. I know that being cooped up during COVID has made me more cynical. I say stuff before thinking and that’s not the me I want to be. How do I stop? I need more peace and to make better decisions. Anonymous This […]
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus addressed grace and social responsibility by talking about the dangers of traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, something well understood by the hearer. But this parable is the response to two questions, not one, and that second question reveals a guilty conscience. First the man asked, “what must […]