Psalm 145 and the struggle for faith

Psalm 145 is nothing but praise for God. It confesses the faith many of us had as children. As adults, praising God can be tougher as we encounter the challenges of life. This week we also hear Jesus standing before Pilate. In Pilate's words we find some responses to the struggles of life. But we find the truth in Jesus' words.

Daniel and the Lion's Den

People often think the book of Daniel is a book about doomsday dreams. The book is much more about what it looks like for us to be faithful in an unfaithful world. If you have ever had to make a decision that your group, your company, your school, your town, even your church or nation disapproved of because you believed it was the right thing to do, then the book of Daniel is for you.

Generosity

We hear two stories of generosity today. Both involve a widow giving. So, why be generous? How can we be generous? What does Jesus mean for our generosity? Based on Elijah and the widow (1 Kings 17:8-16) and Jesus and the widow's two cents (Mark 12:38-44)

DTR and Baptism

The "DTR." That's right, the DTR, the "Defining the Relationship" conversation. Boy meets girl...they begin as friends, feelings develop..and finally the ambiguity becomes too much and the DTR must happen. And in the DTR, objections are raised..."I like you, but just as a friend." Sometimes, in special DTR's, those objections are met.

Strange as it seems, the DTR can serve as a helpful metaphor for Baptism. Jesus declares the relationship: I am savior, you are my saint. Let the objections begin...