secretary Winemaker View in browser June 2, 2022 Winemaker Vince Amlin We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NRSV) Last June, I decided to make dandelion wine. It sounded romantic. Early summer in a bottle. Weeds turned into wine. … Read more
Ungubani? View in browser June 1, 2022 Ungubani? Phiwa Langeni Then Jesus said to the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” – Luke 9:20 (ESV) If you watched the 2018 Marvel movie, Black Panther, you may recognize the Xhosa question, “Ungubani?” meaning “Who are you?” … Read more
Satisfied View in browser May 31, 2022 Satisfied Donna Schaper From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. – Psalm 104:13 (NRSV) Why is the song, “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction,” so popular? Is it because we are spiritually starving, spiritually thirsty? How many of … Read more
Daily Devotional for Small Group Discussion: War No More View in browser May 30, 2022 War No More Molly Baskette The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at … Read more
It’s the End of the World as We Know It View in browser May 29, 2022 It’s the End of the World as We Know It John Edgerton The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the … Read more
Fire Alert View in browser May 28, 2022 Fire Alert Talitha Arnold Fire goes before the Lord, and consumes God’s adversaries on every side. The lightnings of the Lord light up the world… The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. – Psalm 97:3-5 (NRSV, adapted) As I … Read more
Metaphors View in browser May 27, 2022 Metaphors Quinn Caldwell The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. – Psalm 97:5 (NRSV) What if the writer of this psalm were to see Niagara Falls? The psalmist probably didn’t travel much, at least not by today’s standards. They had … Read more
The Good Goodbye View in browser May 26, 2022 The Good Goodbye Liz Miller While Jesus was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. – Luke 24:51-53 (NRSV) When left … Read more
Fighting Words, But No Fight View in browser May 25, 2022 Fighting Words, But No Fight Kenneth Samuel David arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. – 1 Samuel 17:20b (NLT) Young David arrived at the battlefield of Elah just in time to … Read more
Inertia Be Gone! View in browser May 24, 2022 Inertia Be Gone! Vicki Kemper Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10 (NRSV) Pandemic-related inertia is a real condition that touches us all. Things we used to … Read more