The Joy-Secure, Now Ekklesia

January 19, 2025
Judaism had settled into functioning as a religious institution, with clearly defined roles and laws and hierarchy of leadership. Jesus’ arrival on the teaching and miracle circuit, sans consultation with…

Our Path to Joy

January 12, 2025
From shepherd boy anointed in secret as the next king, to Goliath-slayer, to court musician, to King’s son-in-law, to public enemy #1, to rebel band leader (as he ran for…

Joy Unspeakable

October 20, 2024
(and full of Glory)   Paul may have been the first Jesus follower to be tutored one-on-one by God. Imagine all he received in that intense period of extreme makeover!…
Philadelphia – (6 of 7) The letter to the church in Philadelphia was most likely the one received by all seven churches with the greatest enthusiasm, the greatest encouragement. Each…

A People of Joy

July 9, 2023
21st Century disciples of Jesus find themselves a Re-created people, a Pentecost people, a Beloved people, a Missional people, a ‘Being’ people, and fully equipped to respond to today’s wide-ranging set…
We are God’s invited ones, His chosen ones, His beloved ones. The language of the Kingdom of Heaven is rich with the theme of relationship and friendship and loving restoration.…

A Beloved People

June 18, 2023
In a magnanimous show of Eternal Love, Jesus came to live amongst us. He chose to die in our place. He rose from the grave to share resurrection life with…
Three long days. 72 hours. Troubled sleep. Lots of pacing and avoiding eye contact with the others. A few forced attempts at prayer each day. Mounting stress. Each evening, watching…
Our inherited rebellious brokenness (what the Bible calls sin) chokes the bandwidth of the Advent gifts recently celebrated – hope, peace, joy, love. Temptations from all sectors impede our in-process…