Genesis 1:1-2:3; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:29-34 John’s account of Jesus’ baptism is much different than that of the synoptic gospels. Each of those writers records Jesus coming to the Jordan to be baptized. They tell of the Holy Spirit’s descent in the form of the dove. They share the message of the heavenly voice. John’s

Isaiah 45:14-19; Colossians 1:24-2:7; John 8:12-19 How easy it is to rejoice and give thanks to God when things are going well. But when we encounter difficulties, and troubles befall us, are we so eager to sing God’s praises? Life is not always good. We are creatures broken by sin, living in a world broken

Exodus 17:1-7; Colossians 1:15-23; John 7:37-52 Scientists have theorized that there is an unseen substance in the universe called “dark matter” that exerts a force which holds everything together, making it one of the greatest mysteries in modern astrophysics. Yet, our reading from Colossians tells us that this unseen force is none other than Jesus Christ

Deuteronomy 8:1-3; Colossians 1:1-14; John 6:30-33, 48-51 “…that he might humble you…” (Deuteronomy 8:2) Just how humble did these nobodies, schlepping through the wilderness of Sinai, have to become? The indignities of forced labor—stomping straw in the mud of the Nile to make bricks—had not humbled them enough? Dirty and smelly from a forty-year march,

Isaiah 49:1-7; Revelation 21:22-27; Matthew 12:14-21 Today is Epiphany—the season of light. We celebrate Jesus, our light of the world, as manifested by the people of the world, as the Magi came to seek Jesus. The Magi represent worldly wisdom being drawn to the light of the world. This star causes them to look beyond the earthly

Jonah 2:2-9; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 11:17-27, 38-44 Adults enter into an inevitable tug of war with their tykes as they grow into spirits of adventure and independence. Parents provide guidance and cautions, then without fail, their children test the boundaries, stumble, get banged up, and return to have their parents wipe away tears and soothe

Joshua 3:14-4:7; Ephesians 5:1-20; John 9:1-12, 35-38 Rest is an absolute necessity. Sleep helps to prepare our bodies and minds so that we can actually live life as children of the light. We need sleep so that we are able to walk in the light, following in the footsteps of Jesus, so that God might

1 Kings 3:5-14; Colossians 3:12-17; John 6:41-47 One of the great oxymorons of all time is said to be about military intelligence, because such a thing cannot exist. Just ask anyone who has ever served in the military and they will concur. In retrospect, wisdom seems to be severely lacking in much of our society.