Overcoming Despair

The Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.” But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel? My family is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s[read more]

Prayer and Transfiguration

Jesus , taking Peter and John and James, went up onto the mountain to pray.  As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzlingly white. Luke 9: 28-29 Yesterday I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts entitled Open Source.  It was a discussion of the Democratic[read more]

Law and Spirit

Rather our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.  Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious that the children of Israel could not look[read more]

To Each Individual

There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.  To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 Yesterday I was[read more]

Discovering Courage

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.   2 Timothy 1:6-7 This morning’s  news features a story about a famous fashion[read more]

Appraising The Way

We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some time in that city. On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought[read more]