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When our problems are far larger than we are, we can nevertheless trust in God.  Real victory in life comes not for the powerful but for those who have faith. Read More →

God can lead us through seemingly impenetrable barriers in life. Read More →

Against great challenges and threats, we find our strength in God, and we find critical support in one another! In the church, we are “under God’s banner” as we meet today’s battles. Read More →

We are freed from anxiety as we trust in the providence of God and devote ourselves to God. Read More →

Jesus provides a powerful example of a life that is passionate but without anxiety; he trusts in all to unfold in God’s time. Read More →

We can keep up our courage no matter what, when we know that God is with us. Read More →

Today is the conclusion, at least for now, of this Crisis Counsels series. You will find all 85 Crisis Counsels reflections on our web site. For daily devotions going forward, we are recommending that everyone begin to use The Upper Room, a United Methodist devotional that has... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels our focus is on the following passage in the gospel of Mark: In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are reflecting about this passage in the gospel of Mark: In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to... Read More →

In rough circumstances, we can continue to praise God and make a witness for God. Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are doing a four day series, from Tuesday through Friday, based on these verses in the gospel of Mark: In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions... Read More →

This week we have been reflecting about the following verses from Amos: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing... Read More →

This week we are reflecting about the following verses from Amos: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing... Read More →

This week we are considering the following verses from Amos in light of current events: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like... Read More →

God empowers us to face the giants of our time. Read More →

Yesterday we looked at the following verses from Amos in the context of current discussions about whether churches should be singing in the present circumstances in worship: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to... Read More →

This week’s news calls for a fresh look at this well-known passage in Amos: This is what the Lord God Almighty says: Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an... Read More →

Tomorrow is Independence Day, and so our focus this past week in Crisis Counsels has been on this passage in Psalm 33, which brings a relevant message for our nation – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we have been journeying through this passage in Psalm 33 – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse... Read More →

During this Fourth of July week, we are focusing in Crisis Counsels on this passage from Psalm 33 – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The... Read More →

People of faith are able to grow in spirit, rather than despair, when meeting trouble. Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels, as we approach the Fourth of July, we are focusing on this passage in Psalm 33 – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great... Read More →

As this week leads into Independence Day weekend, our focus in Crisis Counsels will be on a very relevant passage in Psalm 33 – Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people God has chosen as his heritage. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not... Read More →

This week’s Crisis Counsels have focused on these verses in the book of the prophet Isaiah – The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security during a lifetime: a source of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Reverence... Read More →

Our reflections this week in Crisis Counsels are based on these two verses in the book of Isaiah – The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security during a lifetime: a source of salvation, wisdom, an... Read More →

We are journeying this week in Crisis Counsels through two verses in the book of Isaiah – The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security during a lifetime: a source of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Reverence for... Read More →

In the midst of severe trials, God sustains our spirit in hope as we look to God in faith. Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at two verses in the center of the book of Isaiah — The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security during a lifetime: a source of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we turn our attention to one of the great prophets of the Bible, the prophet Isaiah, and two verses in the center of the book of Isaiah – The Lord is exalted; he lives on high, filling Zion with justice and righteousness. God will provide security... Read More →

Today we conclude our reflections about God’s Word to King Solomon upon the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, reported in II Chronicles: Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer . . . When the heavens are shut up so that there... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week we are focusing on God’s Word to King Solomon, telling him what to do when his people would encounter difficult times. II Chronicles chapter 7 says: Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer . . . When... Read More →

Our focus this week in Crisis Counsels is the Word that God speaks to King Solomon following the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, where God tells Solomon that the people will find an answer for times of trouble if they turn to God. II Chronicles chapter 7 says: Then the... Read More →

God is working in ways beyond what we may understanding at the time, weaving everything according to God’s purpose. Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at God’s Word to King Solomon following the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, where God assures Solomon that if the people turn to God in times of trouble, God “will forgive their sin and heal their land.” This is what we read in... Read More →

This week in Crisis Counsels we turn our attention to a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Israel, when King Solomon dedicated the temple in Jerusalem for the worship of God. During the dedication, Solomon led a worship service in which he offered a long prayer, asking that... Read More →

In this week’s Crisis Counsels we have looked at two Scripture passages which both emphasize the importance of moving beyond outward acts of piety to engage in a whole life of genuine faith – With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come... Read More →

We continue our focus this week on the following two passages: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings…? He has told you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice,... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week our focus is on the following two passages: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings…? He has told you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord require of you, but to do... Read More →

When things keep getting worse, keep on trusting, for God is yet at work. Read More →

In Monday’s Crisis Counsels we began looking at two passages containing words of the prophet Micah and the words of Jesus: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings… ? He has told you, O mortal, what is... Read More →

Our focus this week in Crisis Counsels will be two passages that are closely connected in theme – words of the prophet Micah, and the words of Jesus: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings… ? He has... Read More →

Today in Crisis Counsels we conclude our reflections about Psalm 60, one of the “psalms of lament” in the Bible. The psalm begins by lamenting the great trouble that has fallen upon the people, then looks to God in faith. The psalm closes with these verses: O grant us help... Read More →

Psalm 60 – our focus in this week’s Crisis Counsels – opens with a description of a time of great trouble, along with lament over the hardship of the people. The beginning verses speak of a society that is falling apart – “tottering” and “reeling” – with images that resonate with... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week we are focusing on a psalm of lament – Psalm 60. The two verses we have considered so far describe a society that is “tottering.” As the Psalm says: You have caused the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair the cracks in it, for it is... Read More →

People often complain about what they lack and are always craving more. Our perspective changes when we join in God’s purposes and understand that we are journeying toward God’s promises. Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week we are journeying through a psalm of lament – Psalm 60 – which is very appropriate for the times we are experiencing right now. Yesterday we considered the second verse –– You have caused the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair the cracks in... Read More →

In Crisis Counsels this week we begin a journey through Psalm 60, which is a so-called “psalm of lament.” A psalm of lament does not sound like something to read to cheer you up! Yet these psalms can be powerful when we find ourselves in times of trouble, because in them the... Read More →

UPDATED STATEMENT – JUNE, 2021 On Pentecost, May 23, we launched the restart of regular in-person worship. As expected, our online congregation continued to be larger than the in-person one, but we had a solid start as we moved into a new phase in our congregational worship.... Read More →

This is targeted toward people who are not able to connect with our live-streamed worship. The following parameters are in keeping with guidelines set by our Bishop. Worship at 8:30 will be structured in a way to ensure the safety of all who attend in this time of pandemic. If... Read More →

We complete our reflection today about this verse in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Fear not, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 The verse concludes with... Read More →