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I talked yesterday about starting with God. Or better, about God starting. When I was preparing to speak those words on Sunday, I thought, “I need to be practical.” So here’s my suggestion for you and for me. First, talk to God about everything on your mind. Illness Uncertainty Frustration Career Age And do it […]

by Jon Swanson

Starting not with myself.

John started his life as a fisherman. He started following John the Baptist, looking for spiritual answers. John the Baptist had a simple message. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” People would find him. They would say, “I messed up my life. I want to straighten it out.” He’d baptize them. And then […]

by Jon Swanson

A prayer for the second Sunday after Christmas.

God. It’s still the first week of the year. We already feel confused and behind. We’re trying to catch our breath. Some of us because of all the chaos. Some of us because we are actually sick. Our minds, our hearts, and our lungs are feeling clogged. We hear the words about being chosen. We […]

by Paul Merrill

Sometimes it takes a while

Now, now, now!! We all want things to happen fast. But God doesn’t necessarily work that way. I’m in the midst of a job hunt – or as people gently say, “looking for a new opportunity.” Even though unemployment rates are among the lowest in a very long time, it is proving difficult to find […]

by Jon Swanson

Finish the work.

Paul was collecting money to support the Christians in Jerusalem. As a community of Jesus-followers, they had initial rapid growth, but then faced brutal opposition. Ironically, Paul had been complicit and then active in that opposition. Though Paul’s life changed, and he was now trying to help, the lives of the followers were still difficult. […]