Matthew 15:15-39 tells us that after supervising his execution, the centurion declared Jesus to be the Son of God. His receptivity reminds us that even now, hardened hearts can break open as they discover their guilt and experience sacrificial love.

The view of the cross from bystanders, starting with Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26), especially as they discover that taking up a cross is central to following Jesus.

When brokenhearted we have the opportunity to discover how our deepest longings are met in Jesus.

After exploring Paul's challenging ask of Philemon, we pondered what redemptive love might require of us.

From Paul's letter to the church that met at Philemon's home (oikos), we gain an intriguing glimpse of the redemptive potential of micro-churches that are partnered together for God's glory.

Matthew's account of the "Wise Men" reminds us that both scripture and science can provide God-signs to non-religious people

A 12 year old girl’s gracious persistence helps us grasp the simple message of Christmas (John 1:1-14).

So why choose to love good lives if we are saved sheerly by God’s grace? In Galatians 5, Paul demonstrates how “walking in the Spirit” yields freedom and genuine goodness.

From Galatians 3:23-4:11, we learn that as adopted orphans must develop trust in the provision of a new parent, to experience benefits of our redemption we must rid ourselves of the need to “perform” religiously or “fend for ourselves” spiritually.

In Galatians 3:26-29, Paul named specific ways that being “clothed with Christ” changed the way Jesus-followers viewed cultural separation. First century house churches practiced radical inclusion. “Putting on Christ” motivates us to build relationships with those who differ from us, especially fellow believers.

Many Christians practice joy-less religion, living “under law,” though the Gospel promises joy and freedom. Galatians 3:23-25 helps us recognize our need to grow up in liberating grace.

On a Halloween long ago, Martin Luther started a movement to reclaim the Gospel of grace, yet Christians still slip into self-righteousness. It’s scary to consider of what God could do with Gospel-centered lives.

Biblically-based guidance for how Jesus-followers can discuss political differences without damaging their relationships, team-taught by two friends with divergent views.

As Paul urged two women (and their church) to resolve their conflict, let us make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:1-6 reminds us that while we are one in Christ, to please Jesus we must pursue unity.

Inspired by the radical reconciliatio portrayed in Ephesians 2:14-18, Lynn, John, & Michael role-play conflict resolution in an office setting.

Rabbi Edwin Freedom described all too well the Vicious Cycle of Anxiety—it’s all around us (and sometimes within us). With help from the teacher of Pastor John Mark Comer, Pastor Michael Carey offers a beautiful alternative—The Way of Jesus—which equips his disciples to disrupt the cycle of anxiety and conflict.

Though obedience doesn't guarantee a healthy and wealthy life, according to Proverbs 3, faithful choices will yield our best life.

Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God “plans to prosper you and harm you…give you a hope and a future.” This incredible verse is even more relevant when we discover its context. God is still forming people who can “seek the peace and prosperity of our community.

In Matthew 14, Peter declared his readiness to join Jesus in water-walking, and Jesus invited him to get out of the boat. There also comes a point when we’re ready for a faith adventure that will require us to climb out of our secure place. Keeping our eyes on Jesus will sustain our peace of mind even as we take courageous steps.

Regardless of circumstance, knowing Jesus personally provides a deep source of personal peace, for as Nehemiah declared, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.”

In Philippians 4:4-9, Paul encouraged us to claim God’s gift of peace by making use of three ongoing practices.

God’s gift of peace starts with God making peace with us.

Acts 27 tells the dramatic saga of the apostles shipwreck survival, not only to assure disciples of God’s provision while on His mission. Luke wants to remind believers that enduring life’s storms “in the same boat” with unbelievers gives us the opportunity to bear witness to Him who gives us calmness and confidence in storms.

The Lord opened Lydia’s heart and home, and in the process started a micro-church movement of diverse disciples, a fascinating example of church in the wild (Acts 16:11-15).

Pastor Michael engages participants in recalling Cornelius and Peter’s Divine Appointment, then offers five “take-aways” for disciples as we strive to discern which boundaries to change and which to preserve.

Pastor Michael Carey’s reflections after meditating upon Acts 6:8-8:40

Pastor Michael Carey highlights the amazing insights we can learn from the “Pentecost Aftershocks” in Acts 3:1-6:7.

Acts 2:37-47 provides a vivid glimpse of how the early church continued Jesus' pattern of 3-dimensional discipleship, so often missing from church life today.

Acts 2:14-41 tells how Peter spoke persuasively in the power of the Spirit. We can be used powerfully by the Spirit if we search the scriptures mind-full of questions.

On the Jewish Festival of Pentecost that followed Jesus’ Resurrection, the the Father anointed the Son’s disciples with the Holy Spirit. Since then Jesus-followers engage in Spirit-powered persuasion (Note: the beginning of the message is missing and the audio-visual tech forgot to follow the pastor with the camera ; nonetheless the audio comes thru fine).

In Acts 1:12-16, we get a glimpse of how the first disciples waited prayerful to be baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit. We no longer wait for the Spirit, we wait on the Spirit’s leading. As with new technologies, our lives are far more mpacrful when we learn how to utilize the Spirit’s leadings and develop habits that enable us to hear these leadings.

The Lord wants to use our waiting for the pandemic’s end to prepare us to bear witness to the Risen Lord in the power of the Spirit.

Though the Resurrection is primarily about new life, Jesus' pursuit of Peter reverberates with grace.

Centuries before Marvin Gaye’s classic tune explained “What’s Going On?”, Jesus’ Parable of the Wicked Tenants foretold his crucifixion. The story also reminds us of God’s disappointment when spiritual leaders and institutions fail to yield justice and righteousness.

While warning the Twelve about imminent destruction, Jesus challenged every disciple to watch out for distractions that keep us from being and sharing Good News.

In the last days of his earthly life, the religious establishment tried to trick Jesus into opposing the Roman Empire or being co-opted by it. His brilliant non-answer to their question guides us as to how we relate to government, even though our situation is radically different.

The grace of Jesus challenges us and empowers us to de-throne Money!

According to Jesus, childlike-news is necessary to enter God’s Kingdom and great are those who hang out with children. Good thing for me that this garden is a magnet the neighborhood kids! How might you cultivate childlike-ness?

(Ok, he didn't actually use those words;-)

Like Peter, we’re tempted to think that we “got it” when we don’t! As the iconic RCA dog positioned himself to the phonograph, let’s be attentive to scripture, so we too can hear Our Master’s voice.

Ironically, on the day that many Americans watch the greatest sports contest," Mark's Gospel highlights the "Super Bowl" of personal battles.

Mark 7:24-30 tells us that Jesus initially resisted a pagan woman who begged him to free her daughter from evil. Comparing her to a dog was rude and exclusive, unless Jesus had a larger, loving purpose. This story helps us to see how Jesus provokes healing, liberating faith in us.

Our re-discovery of how Jesus inaugurated God's Kingdom on earth brings us to Mark 7. As we overhear Jesus confronting empty religious traditions, we'll have the opportunity to gain deeper awareness of the transforming power that catalyzes genuine life-change.

His mercies are new every morning!

You may feel as if you’re up against strong winds. Mark 6:45-52 reminds us that Jesus shows up supernaturally to calm his disciples, so we can make a positive impact on the stormy world around us.

So far 2021 seems like 2020 on steroids! COVID kills more people every day. Divisions within our country have reached a crisis. What can we do?

We will follow Jesus! We will BE the church! Our worship provides the opportunity to declare allegiance to God's Kingdom and grow deeper as disciples by resuming our study of Mark's Gospel.

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