Have you ever had a conversation with someone where they did all the talking? It’s not much of a conversation, right? In fact, a few minutes of that verbal barrage and I’m looking for a polite way to exit the chat. Conversation is a two-way street, so to speak. This week I’ll be sharing at…
I’ve been studying Ezekiel 37 and Acts 2 this first week of the Season of Pentecost. I’ve read these texts many times, but I’m not sure I’ve read them with one another. In my journal I’ve begun to list all the things that jump off the page as I read. Do you journal? I’ve found…
Scrambling up the sycamore tree, Zacchaeus had no idea what awaited him. Before the day ended, he would take up a life following Jesus and give up half his possessions to the poor. An encounter with Jesus is so life altering that we are never again the same. Another thing happens in Luke’s account of…
SCO Family, I hope this email finds you all in high spirits after a busy weekend. I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to each and every one of you for the incredible impact you made during the Big Serve weekend. Your planning, commitment, and selflessness have truly made…
I love the emphasis of The Big Serve coming up April 19-21. I have heard so many exciting plans describing how our SCO congregations are preparing to love their neighbors in Jesus’ name. We are attempting to collect some of those plans now. Pastor, if you haven’t done so yet, Please place your information in the form by clicking here: This…
As the season of Eastertide continues, my devotional readings have focused on resurrection events. Mark 16:2-3 intrigues me. “Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Their…
“Ugh…Monday” I can’t count the number of times I’ve read the resurrection passages in the gospels. I marvel at angels, the empty tomb, dense disciples, and I imagine myself on the scene. All these years, until last week, I have missed the introductory phrase in all four gospel accounts. The phrase is either, “…after the…
Picture yourself gathered for worship in your church. The announcements are finished, and the worship team is in full voice. Just as the congregation enters into a quiet refrain on one of your favorite worship songs, you are startled by a terrible sound and the building begins to shake. Your quick consideration of a second…
Happy first day of spring! I love the way the weeks of Lent in the northern hemisphere often mean Crocus blooms push their way through the soil, trees turn purple with pregnant buds, and the birds return bringing with them the songs of the season. The cold earth and brittle stalks become flush with new…
Luke records a Sabbath day when Jesus was invited to the home of a prominent Pharisee for a meal. A first-century meal like this would have resembled an ancient game of Musical Chairs. Guests tried to guess their place at the table based on their importance and who else had been invited. Naturally, Jesus took…
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