Our scripture reading for today, John 20:19-23, marks a profound moment in the New Testament. Jesus, having risen from the dead, appears to his disciples. This moment is not just a reunion; it is a reinstatement of their mission, a revitalization of their purpose, and a commissioning that echoes through the ages.   To fully appreciate the significance of this passage, it is essential to understand...  Read More

The watercolor painted sky in the morning as the sun pierces through the horizon, there is something about the beauty of a sunrise and how it transcends the seasons. In the summer my favorite time to see the sunrise is in the middle of a morning run or bike ride, giving me something to focus on as its beauty reflects upon the changing scenery. In rural Michigan, in late July or early August you ca...  Read More

Have you ever had something so traumatic or something so shocking happen to you and the only thing you can do is stand in disbelief? Like, your brain cannot process what is going on. The most recent, for me, was when my daughter told me she was pregnant with baby #3. I was in shock and disbelief. I just stared at her, my brain glitched. It took a few seconds to realize what she had said, and it to...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:  Sometimes in life we lose all hope. We get discouraged. We get afraid. We get “worn down,” leading to depression and anxiety. The disciples had just experienced the most traumatic moment of their lives. Their Rabbi was murdered right in front of their eyes. The one who they chose to abandon everything for was gone. How could this be? He was supposed to be the Messiah. He ...  Read More

Let’s take a mental walk. The distance and the destination is up to you; it could be a quick stroll or a painful and grueling trudge. Now think back to a time whether it was 50 years ago, 5 years ago, or 5 minutes ago to an incident in which you were wronged and you felt that extending forgiveness to that person or situation was completely unfathomable. Curious, did you quickly forgive or are you ...  Read More

Pressure: “attempt to persuade or coerce (someone) into doing something.” Pressure is something that none of us can escape. It's something every single one of us faces daily. Pressures from work, friends, and even family. Pressure to do make decisions on the fly, or to make a hard decision in a short amount of time. Long story short, no one likes it. We see in today's scripture reading that Pilate...  Read More