House & Family

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35 Who has authority? Today, I'd say it is religious leaders, the government, and social media.   In Jesus' day, it was the government of Rome, the scribes or religious leaders, and family.   The crowd comes together, loud and noisy. Stinking and ill. They press in on Jesus so tightly …

Made for Good Works

John 3:14-21 Ephesians 2:1-10 Paul is writing to the little group of religious refugees in Ephesus. He says, once -- all of you -- including all of us here at Saint Michael's -- were existing in the course of the world, following the 'aeon' or spirit of the air, the gestalt, or the common way …

Testify to the Light

Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Isaiah sounds as if he is writing a song of joy... saying things like "Good news to the oppressed!" and "I will greatly rejoice!" but Isaiah is actually writing a lament. A song of sorrow. You see, returning is not restoration. The exiles from Babylon have returned to Jerusalem …

Why Rejoice?

Isaiah 25:1-9 Philippians 4:1-9 Why rejoice? How can we rejoice at a time like this? Is it right? Think of this year. What a year. A terrible year of tragedies, and world disasters. A year of record breaking fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes. A year of genocide, and threats of nuclear war, and civil war. A …