Scripture Reading — Acts 1:4-11“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:8Picture someone striking a large gong with a mallet, maybe as part of an orchestra or a marching band
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 55:6-13“My word . . . will not return to me empty, but will . . . achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” — Isaiah 55:11On this day of worship let’s return to the words of Isaiah 55 and reflect on the power of the
Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 1:18-25The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. — 1 Corinthians 1:18One of the leaders in our mission organization visited a wom
Scripture Reading — Matthew 9:9-13“Follow me,” [Jesus] told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. — Matthew 9:9Where I grew up in Canada, the church youth groups in the area would host an annual play competition. We wrote and performed our
Scripture Reading — Acts 2:29-41When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said . . . “Brothers, what shall we do?’’ — Acts 2:37After Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11), he did exactly as he had promised his disciples. He h
Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:15-20[Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. — Luke 24:27Our theme verse today is from the Emmaus road story once again. We have seen that the two disciples’ hearts bur
Scripture Reading — Psalm 119:89-105“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” — Luke 24:32Let’s return to the Emmaus road story that we reflected on yesterday. Two disciples, w
Scripture Reading — Luke 24:13-35They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us . . . ?” — Luke 24:32One of the ways we can speak of “resonance” is in terms of human connection. When a person says something that connects with us
Scripture Reading — Psalm 42:1-5My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? — Psalm 42:2The Christian writer C. S. Lewis was a careful thinker. One day he was asked which of the world’s religions gave people t
Scripture Reading — Psalm 19:1-6The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. — Psalm 19:1Psalm 19 asserts that the heavens declare the glory of God. I recently learned some things about the Hubble Space Teles
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 54:1-8“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy. . . .” — Isaiah 54:1I grew up (and still serve) in a Christian tradition that tends to be reserved in worship. I remember invitin
Scripture Reading — John 1:1-14“My word . . . will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” — Isaiah 55:11The gospel account of John opens with an astonishing declaration: the Word
