Monday, Dec. 18: Luke 1: 26-38, The Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. The words in verse 35, about how “the power of the Most High will overshadow” Mary and “the Holy Spirit will come upon” her reflect and repeat Israel’s experience of the glory of God...

“…as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God…” 2 Peter 3:12 Introduction: The blessed old saint’s life at last came to an end, peacefully, in his bed, as he breathed his last, with his loving and sorrowing wife and family gathered around him,. As his...

Monday, Dec. 11: Isaiah 61: 1-4; 8-11: Jesus read from this passage for his hometown inaugural address, in the synagogue of Nazareth (Luke 4: 14-22). But these words applied first to a people who would be restored to Zion from exile and captivity. In what ways does...

Some time around 1190 AD, a handful of barefoot Christian monks in plain, ragged robes had an audience with a powerful Muslim sultan in his grand and glorious palace in Egypt. The leader of these monks was Francis of Assisi; the sultan was the cousin of Saladin, the...

Below are some suggested readings, reflections and prayers, offered for our devotional use and spiritual benefit this Advent season, and to prepare for the second Advent Sunday service, which will focus more on Peter's words, "....As you hasten the day....." Monday,...

Here is a Christmas story, In A City Under Seige, inspired by our few years of living in the Detroit Metro area, and by some of the wonderful people we met, living well and doing well in a struggling city. The story is very plausible, but the names of the hospital,...

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may...

It has happened again; another mass shooting, in a church sanctuary in Texas, and around an elementary school in California. Lately, it seems that we hardly get through one such massacre before the next one occurs. Whenever it happens in a religious sanctuary, such as...

" Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ 3 “The manager...

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of...