Listen: Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10 NRSV) Reflect: The unconditional love of God is at the center of our faith. If God so loves us, so much that he came and lived—and died—among us (“moved into the neighborhood”, to quote Eugene Peterson), how can I not love others, […]
ROL: Mercy
Listen: “Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender), even as your Father is merciful.” ( Luke 6:36 NRSV) “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never-I promise-regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our […]
ROL: Grace
Read: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” —1 Peter 4:10 NIV Reflect: Our Christmas giving is a pale reflection of the life changing gifts our heavenly Father gives to us. Gifts that enable us to bless, to serve, […]
ROL: Practicing Gratitude
Listen: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:18 Reflect: What is God’s will for me? This is likely a familiar question for many of us who read this verse! In my work as a spiritual companion, I’ve sat with many people from age 9 to 90 who […]
ROL: Believing
Listen: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NRSV) Reflect: I can add little more to this wonderful prayer and wish written by Paul so long ago. The context of his writing […]
ROL: Accounting for Our Hope
Listen: In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15, NIV) Reflect: The other day I attended a Zoom wedding. It was gratifying to see my […]
ROL: Building, Praying, Keeping
Listen: “But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God…” Jude 1:20-21 (NRSV) Reflect: Jude was writing to believers who were facing serious spiritual opposition. Intruders had secretly slipped in among them and were perverting the grace of God and denying Jesus […]
ROL: Living Generously
Listen: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 NRSV Reflect: It is always better to err on the side of generosity. He who sows generously so that blessings may come to others will also reap generously and be blessed. I love giving unique and […]
ROL: Knitted Together in Love
Listen: I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3, NRSV) Reflect: Conspiracy theories are nothing new! The reason […]