Common Lectionary

John 15:9-17 We who claim to have joy often look as if we have been weaned on dill pickles. The "joy, joy, joy, joy way down in the depths of our hearts" has long departed and in its place is some sort of ugliness that emerges like a bad taste in our mouths. What once was a fac

Acts 8:26-40 One man who impacted his nation for Christ is more often associated with green beer and leprechauns than the proclamation of the gospel - Patrick of Ireland. Kidnapped by pirates as a teenager, Patrick was taken from his well-to-do home in Roman-Britain in A.D. 405, transpor

John 10:11-18   Jesus often spoke in rural images that communicated visually to the people he addressed. Even though we are not as acquainted to those images today, they still can say a great deal to us today, even in our modern, urban, industrialized world. One such image that Jesus

Mark 4:35-41 These men weren't novices nor were they sissies. They knew their lake; knew her sudden, violent mood swings. All it would take was one good wave broadside -- and goodbye Peter, John, and sleeping Jesus! What a perfect opportunity for a lesson in faith. What a perfect storm!

2 Corinthians 5:6-17 Ever hear of people so heavenly minded they're no earthly good? It's a popular sentiment. As far as the apostle Paul was concerned, however, heavenly-mindedness actually contributes to the worth of our lives. I. It helps us live with great confidence (6-9). Believin

Isaiah 6:1-8 In the TV series Mission Impossible, Jim Phelps received his secret mission assignments from a mysterious voice on a tape recorder. Listening carefully, Phelps would hear the voice say, "Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it . . ." Wouldn't it be

Romans 8:22-27 Do you recall the famous Ronco commercials? Did you ever find yourself wishing you had a Mr. Microphone, the Pocket Fisherman, the Dial-O-Matic Food Slicer, or the Smokeless Ashtray? Ron Popeil the inventor revolutionized the ad industry with his sales pitch: It cuts, it sli

Acts 4:32-35 I heard a preacher say that he pastored two churches. One church taught Sunday School and paid the bills. The other church was spiritually illiterate and physically needy. The problem, he said, was that the two churches met at the same time in the same building. Is this the w

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 In the movie "Serenity," a dying pastor tells his unbelieving friend, "I don't care what you believe, just believe!" That's a strange thing for a Christian pastor to say! Is the substance of our faith less important than the strength

Philippians 2:5-11 The expression NO CROSS, NO CROWN has been widely used and among the early users was William Penn, founder of the Quaker colony which became Pennsylvania in his tract NO CROSS, NO CROWN published in London in 1669. How well it encapsulates the meaning of the Palm Sunday pro