For the first quarter of 2020, I have committed to study closely the topic of hospitality. Partly, this is a result of pondering themes in Romans 12-16, the closing section of Paul’s letter focused on the life of the church body in a culture hostile to Christianity. In addition to...
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”Isaiah 40.1 December is a hard month for many. A few years ago, I sat with a widower who hated the holiday season more than any other time of year. “If only I could sleep through December,” he often said. Thanksgiving and...
God Chooses Unlikely Vessels for Great Tasks The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among...
He was an orthopedic doctor (and renowned author) who chose his patients among the “dalits” or the untouchables of India. Paul Brand was born in southwestern India in 1914 India to missionary parents. Alongside his wife and physician colleague, Margaret, he spent a lifetime working...
We are all familiar with Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 Thesis to the door of Wittenberg Chapel on October 31,1517. His boldness touched off a theological firestorm in Germany, and resulted in the formation of the Lutheran Church. We also know of John Calvin’s ministry in Geneva...
“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." Ephesians 4.7-8 When the Apostle Paul addressed the church in Ephesus, he purposefully...
We are moving forward to make our vision a vibrant part of who we are as a congregation. For more than 30 years we have pursued a biblical vision while, at the same time, cultivating a sub-identity as a unique congregation in Chattanooga. Every Christian church is connected in a...
Many of you can imagine the fear of losing your eyesight. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Fuchs Dystrophy. This is a rare eye disease that causes vision impairment. When I was first told about my condition, I was struck with the potential fear of going blind. Some of you know that...
There are things about Mrs. Mitchell’s Sunday School class of my youth that are quite dull in my memory bank. However, some things are remembered well, like her seasonally themed cupcakes, her warm embraces, and her dramatic story-telling. One Sunday’s presentation seemed especially...
Isn’t it strange to contemplate that your personal mission in life is actually not your personal mission in life? What is a personal mission? It can be very helpful for us to make our way through life with a sense of objective, setting goals, making lists, working hard, finishing...
