Take your next step

Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “That’s what you say.” (Luke 23:3, CEB) As we continue the journey through Lent and consider the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, this scene in scripture where Jesus is brought before Pilate always draws me into the narrative. Pilate was told Jesus had claimed to be a king, but this was a label that was given to him. In John’s gospel, Jesus’ longer reply to Pilate explains,…

We all know the weight of guilt, the nagging feeling that lingers when we fall short or mess up. In Psalm 32, David reflects on the powerful gift of God’s forgiveness and the peace that comes with it. He begins by proclaiming, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,” reminding us that true joy comes from experiencing God’s grace and mercy. David knows what it’s like to carry the burden of unconfessed sin. In verses 3-4, he describes how…

It was a short friendship. He walked into the church, and I introduced myself to the newcomer as Pastor Wanda. We instantly became friends, and everyone introduced themselves that first day. He said he felt like family.  I told him he was family.  He loved coming to church and only missed when he was ill. He loved eating the noon meal with us and I tried to always send food home with him.  He sat at the same table every…

2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” One of the last conversations my nephew had with his father was about perspective, “Dad, it’s all about your perspective”.  And while my brother-in-law was unable to revive his son, my nephew is now in heaven in the presence of Jesus.  If Jesus gave him a choice of whether to…