Experiencing the Kingdom of God at Springdale
on December 15th, 2020
And calling a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-3I have to apologize to Bubba. This inconvenient truth rattles around my head as I try to ignore it, focusing instead on driving down the street, avoiding potholes, and finding parking. “Why, God? Wasn’t he in the w... Read More
A Reflection on National Adoption Month
on November 20th, 2020
A Reflection on National Adoption Monthby Sylvia Palomino“Are you a believer?” The question came out of nowhere.I turned around and found a petite Asian woman sitting on the lab table next to me, her head at my level. It was the fall of 1990, my first year of medical school, and as we waited for the prof to arrive, she saw me looking at my mail. I had received a welcome card from a recent church v... Read More
My Yoke Is Easy, and My Burden Is Light
on May 26th, 2019
by Heather Larson5/26/19Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)Rejection. Failure. How is it possible to stay joyful when our work does not succeed, and we feel rejected by those we try ... Read More
Living the Lenten Life: For the Joy Set Before Us
on March 19th, 2019
By Pastor Dan Palomino3/19/19Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand o... Read More
A Lenten Discipline: Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
on March 12th, 2019
By Cecilia Russell - 3/12/19 - Will I be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day during Lent? Read More
Living the Lenten Life
on March 5th, 2019
Lent can serve to prepare us to follow Jesus in the same way that Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness "followed by temptation from the devil” prepared him for his earthly ministry (Matthew 4). It’s no mistake that the devil waited until the end of Jesus’ fasting period to tempt him. This is when Jesus would be physically weakest due to lack of food and thus most susceptible to suggestion. But, if... Read More