Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 1:21–2:11; Acts 1:15-26; Luke 20:19-26 Happiness… Everyone seems to be searching for that special someone who will usher feelings of happiness into his or her life. Celebrities and famous athletes often make headlines, bouncing in and out of relationships, marriages, and even gender identities. With each partner or lifestyle change, these hunters

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Acts 1:1-14; Luke 20:9-19 In 1966, Nancy Sinatra released what would become a number one hit in the US and UK. “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” declared that “one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.” If you replace those boots with sandals, it would sum

Today’s readings: Exodus 6:2-13; 7:1-6; Revelation 15:1-8; Matthew 18:1-14 You cannot teach an old dog new tricks. How often have we heard that statement repeated by someone who feels they cannot accomplish something? I received my first computer in 1985; it did not even come with a hard drive; it did not need one. Things change.

Today’s readings: Song of Solomon 5:10-16; 7:1-2 (3-5) 6- 7a (9); 8:6-7; 2 Corinthians 13:1-14; Luke 20:1-8 Authority is a big issue among us. Some people will assume authority while others relinquish their authority. Then there are authorities we agree to follow. People who go against those authorities are lawbreakers. We can see that from the

Today’s readings: Song of Solomon 2:8-13; 4:1-4a, 5- 7, 9-11; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21; Luke 19:41-48 The best leaders suffer failure. Paul bemoaned the Corinthian Church’s lack of repentance and disloyalty. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and no doubt over Judas, if not Peter as well. Some people will be unrepentant, unfaithful, self-serving, accusing, or just downright vicious.

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 31:30–32:14; 2 Corinthians 11:21b-33; Luke 19:11-27 Jesus ascended to his throne, taking possession of his kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world. In the meantime we who are children of the kingdom must be good stewards of all that the King has entrusted to us. We will be judged by the fruit

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 30:11-20; 2 Corinthians 11:1-21a; Luke 19:1-10 When Jesus entered the house of Zacchaeus, the people complained that Jesus went to the house of a sinner. Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector and, beyond his physical stature, we know little about him. The community apparently branded him a sinner to be avoided. Before Jesus,

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 30:1-10; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Luke 18:31-43 Jesus told them plainly that once they reached Jerusalem, he would be turned over to the Gentiles, be beaten, and then killed. Yet on the third day, God would raise him from the grave. Even as we know this to be true, the disciples had difficulty accepting