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illustration
Burnout and A Loss of Meaning
Burnout is the disease of our age. Time magazine had an editorial way back in the 1980s about “the burnout of just about everybody.” I concluded that the metaphor of burnout was not quite right, parti... -
blog
Advent Wreath Meaning and Symbolism: A Guide for Creative Worship
Updated for Advent 2025 It may surprise many to learn that Advent wreaths are a fairly new tradition, only dating back to the 19th century. But it provides a powerful way to connect with your congre... -
illustration
The Meaning of Easter
Here, then, is the message of Easter, or at least the beginning of that message. The resurrection of Jesus doesn’t mean, “It’s all right. We’re going to heaven now.” No, the life of heaven has been bo... -
Quote
Lenten practices of giving up pleasures are good reminders that the purpose of life is not pleasure. The purpose of life is to attain to perfect life, all truth and undying ecstatic love – which is th... -
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Hell is full of good meanings and wishings. -
Quote
Without the incarnation, Christianity isn't even a very good story, and most sadly, it means nothing. "Be nice to one another" is not a message that can give my life meaning, assure me o... -
liturgy
Only the hungry search for bread. Only
Only the hungry search for bread. Only the thirsty look for water. This is a place for those who are hungry and thirsty in spirit. Only those who ache for meaning will pursue it. Only those who ye... -
illustration
Lent: Preparing for a Banquet
Not long ago, just as the season of Lent had got underway, a friend complained to me, “I know it’s Lent, but where’s the joy?” It is easy to understand why Lent is often misunderstood as a period of s... -
lectionary
Maundy Thursday
"Maundy" What? Maundy Thursday takes its name from the Latin version of John 13:34: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are ... -
blog
Longing for Home: Christmas Movie Cheer
Getting in the Mood for Christmas Christmas movies do a variety of things: get us in the mood for the season, connect us with family, and entertain us. Alongside the stockings, fir tree, and nativity... -
illustration
The Lowliest Tree
God’s love for the vulnerable is beautifully portrayed in the beloved animated classic A Charlie Brown Christmas . The climactic moment, when Linus walks into the spotlight with his blanket and r... -
liturgy
Holy Lord, in this time of Advent, we
Holy Lord, in this time of Advent, we confess we often are distracted by the season’s busyness, by the stress of commitment, and even by putting our own traditions ahead of the true meaning of Christm... -
blog
Between the Poles of Human Experience (Between Good Friday & Easter)
Some time back I had the thought that life, the Christian life, can be looked at through the two poles of Good Friday and Easter. While, of course, we would prefer to always be living an "Easter&... -
illustration
What is the Purpose of Easter?
It was Easter Sunday and the pastor gathered the children at the front of the church to ask them about the meaning of Easter. The pastor was disappointed as he listened to the first response: “Easter ... -
blog
6 Palm Sunday Service Ideas: Processions and Interactive Liturgies
The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and beginning Holy Week. Even less-liturgical churches often dip a toe into the liturgical waters, distributing palms... -
blog
After Easter: Take it a Day at a Time
Recovering from Holy Week Whew. I’m dragging just a little. It’s a few days after Easter. The season has been full of richness, but I’m a bit tired. I’ve written daily Lenten devotionals, newsletter... -
blog
An Invitation to an Unhurried Lent
Finding Grace in Lent The practice of Lent has become a place of grace for me over the last number of years. While some feel that Lent is a failure to recognize that our salvation is rooted in gr... -
liturgy
Modern Ash Wednesday Service
A contemporary Ash Wednesday service integrating music and scripture with the imposition of ashes. Service Order Prelude People are encouraged to enter in silence. Lights are dim. As people ... -
illustration
Christmas in Mosul
Living rooms and shop windows aren’t the only places where decorations are meaningful features of Christmas. When Iraqi forces expelled the Islamic State from the predominantly Christian city of Mosul... -
Quote
Advent means “coming,” from the Latin word adventus, and demarks a season of expectantly preparing to celebrate the first coming of Jesus, while eagerly awaiting His second coming to establish His kin... -
illustration
Two Moments That Matter
There are two moments that matter. One is when you know that your one and only life is absolutely valuable and alive. The other is when you know your life, as presently lived, is entirely pointless an... -
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Hell is full of good intentions or desires. -
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To a Christian, Easter Sunday means everything, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. -
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Pentecost means the glory of God’s power and the power of God’s glory. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you and enters into you, as He came in that Upper Room, filling the house and those sitting in it... -
illustration
The Beginning is About the End
It is a strange thing. At the beginning of our preparation for Christmas, the gospel is about the end of the world. And yet, it is not surprising. For what is already contained in a small beginning is... -
Quote
When you strip it of everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That's what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost. -
illustration
How God Enters the World Matters
When we turn toward Advent, the name on our lips is Emmanuel, God with us . So much in Christian faith relies on what the faithful actually mean when we say that name. Western Christianity has fo... -
lectionary
Good Friday
Ancient Lens What Can We Learn From the Historical Context? Old and New Testaments Meet Hebrews is a rich tapestry of intricately woven theology that spans the Old and New Testaments. With Christ... -
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The evil that is in the world always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding. -
illustration
What it Means to Be "Childlike"
In his book of sermons titled The Magnificent Defeat, Frederick Buechner mentions two qualities of childlikeness. First, children have no fixed preconceptions of reality. If someone tells them that ...
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Top Level Categories by Topic
A
- A Fresh Start
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- Awe
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B
- Babies
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- Bearing Fruit
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C
- Caesar
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- Criticism
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- Crucifixion
- Crucifixion Of Jesus
- Cruelty
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D
- Dancing
- Dangers of Success
- Darkness
- Deacons
- Dead In Christ
- Deafness
- Death
- Death and Dying
- Death Has No Power
- Death of a Loved One
- Death of Christ
- Debt of Sin
- Decision-Fatigue
- Decision-Making
- Decisions
- Dedication
- Depression
- Descent
- Desert
- Desire
- Desire for God
- Despair
- Destiny
- Destruction
- Destructive Behavior
- Direction
- Discipline
- Discouragement
- Disease
- Dishonesty
- Disobedience
- Distraction
- Distress
- Diversity
- Divine Love
- Divine Revelation
- Divinity of Jesus
- Division
- Doubt
- Doubts
- Drawing Near to God
- Dreams
- Drifting
- Dust
- Dwelling Place
- Dying to Self
- Dynamism
- The Dawn
- The Dying
E
- Easter
- Easter Bunny
- Eden
- Education
- Elders
- Elizabeth
- Embrace
- Emotions
- Empathy
- Empowerment
- Emptiness
- Empty Tomb
- Emptying Ourselves
- Encounter
- Endurance
- Enemies
- Energy
- Energy Drain
- Enlightenment
- Envy
- Epiphanies
- Eschatology (End Times)
- Eternal
- Eternal Life
- Eternity of God
- Evangelism
- Evening Prayer
- Evil
- Exaltation
- Example
- Exclusion
- Exhaustion
- Exile
- Expectations
- Eyes
- The Early Church
- The Earth
- The Epiphany
- The Exodus
F
- Face of God
- Failure
- Faith
- Faith and Prayer
- Faith in Christ
- Faith in the Dark
- Faith of the Church
- Faithfulness
- Fall of Humanity
- Falling Short
- Family Dysfunction
- Family of God
- Fasting
- Fatherhood of God
- Favor of God
- Fear
- Fear of Death
- Feasts
- Fellowship
- Fellowship of the Saints
- Filled with the Spirit
- Flourishing
- Following Jesus
- Foolishness
- Fools for Christ
- Football (American)
- Football (Soccer)
- Footwashing
- Forgiveness
- Forgiveness of Jesus
- Forgiveness of Sin
- Forsakenness
- Foundations
- Four Gospels
- Freedom
- Freedom from Sin
- Friend of God
- Friends
- Friendship
- Fruit
- Fruit of the Spirit
- Fruitfulness
- Frustration
- Fulfillment
- Funerals
- The Fear of God
G
- Garden of Eden
- Gathering
- Generations
- Generosity
- Gentiles
- Gifts
- Giving
- Giving God the Glory
- Global Church
- Glorifying God
- Glory
- Goals
- God
- God Cares For You
- God the Creator
- God the Father
- God with Us
- God-man
- God's Absence
- God's Anger
- God's Character
- God's Creation
- God's Faithfulness
- God's Forgiveness
- God's Gifts
- God's Goodness
- God's Greatness
- God's Guidance
- God's Hands
- God's Help
- God's Judgment
- God's Justice
- God's Kindness
- God's Law
- God's Love
- God's Majesty
- God's Name
- God's Nearness
- God's Omnipresence
- God's Power (Omnipotence)
- God's Presence
- God’s Presence
- God's Promises
- God's Protection
- God's Provision
- God's Pursuit
- God's Reign
- God's Righteousness
- God's Sovereignty
- God's Strength
- God's Throne
- God's Truth
- God's Unfailing Love
- God's Voice
- God's Will
- God's Word
- God's Work
- God's Works
- God's Wrath
- Going Out into the World
- Going to Church
- Good Friday
- Good Intentions
- Good Life
- Good News
- Goodness
- Goodness of God
- Gospel
- Gossip
- Government
- Grace
- Grandparents
- Gratitude
- Great Books blog series
- Great Exchange
- Greatness
- Greatness of God
- Greed
- Grief
- Growth
- Guidance
- Guilt
- The Glory of God
- The Good Shepherd
H
- Habits
- Half-Heartedness
- Halloween
- Hard-Heartedness
- Hatred
- Having it All-Together
- Healing
- Healing Wounds
- Healthcare
- Hearing God
- Hearing our Prayers
- Heart
- Heart Change
- Hearts
- Heaven
- Hell
- Helping Others
- Helping our Neighbors
- Helping the Poor
- Heroes
- Hiding Place
- History
- HIV/AIDS
- Holidays
- Holiness
- Holy Fire
- Holy Saturday
- Holy Thursday
- Holy Week
- Home
- Home Ownership
- Homelessness
- Honor
- Hope
- Hopelessness
- Hosanna
- Hospitality
- Host
- Humanity
- Humble Circumstances
- Humble Leadership
- Humble Living
- Humble Prayer
- Humble Service
- Humility
- Humor
- Hunger
- Hurry
- The Holy Spirit
I
- Identity
- Idolatry
- Ignorance
- Ignoring God
- Illness
- Immanuel
- Immortality
- Impatience
- Imperfection
- In Christ
- In, But Not Of, the World
- Inclusion
- Indifference
- Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
- Infants
- Infertility
- Inheritance
- Injury
- Inner Peace
- Inspiration
- Institutions
- Intentions
- Intercession
- Intergenerational Ministry
- Intergenerational Worship
- Intimacy
- Invitation
- Invocation
- Israel-Palestine Conflict
- The Incarnation
J
- Jealousy
- Jerusalem
- Jesus
- Jesus Christ the Center
- Jesus Defeat of Death
- Jesus the High Priest
- Jesus the Way
- Jesus' Birth
- Jesus' Death
- Jesus' Descent into Hell
- Jesus' Divinity
- Jesus' Earthly Ministry
- Jesus' Example
- Jesus' Humanity
- Jesus' Love
- Jesus' Presence
- Jesus' Return
- Jesus' Sacrifice
- Jesus' Second Coming
- Jesus' Suffering
- Jesus' Teaching
- Jesus' Victory over Death
- Jobs
- John the Baptist
- Joseph (Jesus' Father)
- Joy
- Joy of our Salvation
- Judaism
- Justice
- Justice System
- Justification
K
L
- Lack of Faith
- Lack of Forgiveness
- Lack of Trust
- Landscape
- Language
- Law (Torah)
- Laying Down Your Life
- Leaders
- Leading Others Astray
- Legacy
- Lent
- Lies
- Life
- Life after Death
- Life and Death
- Life of Purpose
- Life to the Full
- Light
- Light and Darkness
- Light Bulb Moment
- Light of Christ
- Light of the World
- Limitations
- Listening
- Little
- Liturgy
- Living Humbly
- Living Life
- Living the Resurrection
- Living Water
- Loneliness
- Loneliness of Pain
- Longing
- Lord and Savior
- Lord of Lords
- Losing Yourself
- Loss
- Love
- Love of God and Neighbor
- Loving Kindness
- Loving Other Christians
- Loving your Neighbor
- The Lamb of God
- The Last Supper
- The Logos
- The Lord's Supper
- The Lordship of Christ
M
- Magnificat
- Majesty
- Man of Sorrows
- Manger
- Manna
- Marginalized
- Margins
- Marital Problems
- Marriage
- Martyrdom
- Mary of Bethany
- Mary the Mother of Jesus
- Masks
- Materialism
- Maundy Thursday
- Meals
- Meaning
- Mediation
- Meditation
- Meekness
- Memorial Day
- Memories
- Memory
- Mental Illness
- Mercy
- Millenials
- Ministry
- Miracles
- Missionaries
- Missions
- Mistaken Identity
- Misunderstanding
- Mortality
- Moses
- Mother's Day
- Motivations
- Motives
- Mountains
- Mourning
- Moving
- Mystery
- Mystery of God
- The Magi
- The Meaning of Life
- The Messiah
- The Mind of Christ
- The Morning
N
O
P
- Pain
- Pain and Growth
- Palm Sunday
- Paradox
- Parents
- Partiality
- Partisanship
- Passion of Christ
- Passover
- Past, Present and Future
- Pastor Responsibilities
- Pastors
- Paths
- Patience
- Patriarchs
- Peace
- Peacemaking
- Penitential Psalms
- Pentecost
- People
- Peoples
- Perfection
- Persecution
- Perseverance
- Peter
- Pilgrimage
- Planning
- Pleasing God
- Pleasure
- Political Leaders
- Politicians
- Pollution
- Poor
- Poor in Spirit
- Possessions
- Pouring Ourselves out
- Poverty
- Power
- Power and Weakness
- Power of Love
- Power of Prayer
- Power of Sin
- Praise
- Prayer
- Prayers for Funerals
- Preaching
- Prejudice
- Preparation
- Prepared
- Preparing the Way
- Presence
- Presidents
- Pressure
- Pride
- Priorities
- Prison
- Prisoners
- Private Faith
- Proclamation Of God’s Word
- Procrastination
- Promises
- Prosperity
- Protestantism
- Proud
- Public Faith
- Public Witness
- Punishment for Sin
- Purification
- Purity
- Purity Of Heart
- Purpose
- The Pit
- The Power of the Holy Spirit
- The Prince of Peace
- The Prophets
Q
R
- Race (Running)
- Racial Reconciliation
- Racism
- Rain
- Reality
- Rebellion
- Receiving
- Receiving Christ
- Receiving Forgiveness
- Receiving Gifts
- Receiving God
- Receiving Love
- Receiving Thanks
- Receiving the Gospel
- Recognition
- Reconciliation
- Redeemer
- Redemption
- Refiner's Fire
- Reflection
- Reformation Sunday
- Refuge
- Rejecting God
- Relationships
- Religion and Public Life
- Religious People
- Remembering
- Renewal
- Renting
- Repentance
- Repetition
- Rescue
- Resistance
- Resistance to God
- Resolution
- Responsibility
- Restoration
- Resurrection
- Resurrection from Sin
- Resurrection Life
- Resurrection of the Dead
- Resurrection to New Life
- Retreat
- Returning to God
- Revelation
- Reverence
- Revival
- Riches
- Righteousness
- Risks
- Roman World
- Routines
- Royalty
- Running from God
- The Reliability of Scripture
- The Resurrection and the Life
- The Rich
- The Risen Lord
- The Roman Empire
S
- Sacrifice
- Sacrificial Living
- Sacrificial Love
- Sadness
- Safety
- Saint Nicholas
- Salt and Light
- Salt of the Earth
- Salvation
- Salvation History
- Sanctification
- Sanctity
- Santa Claus
- Sarah
- Satan
- Savior
- School
- Scripture
- Sea
- Searching
- Seasons
- Second Chances
- Seeking God
- Seeking the Kingdom
- Self-Centeredness
- Self-Control
- Self-Denial
- Self-Destruction
- Self-Examination
- Self-Glory
- Self-Righteousness
- Self-Sacrifice
- Selfishness
- Sermons
- Servant Leadership
- Servanthood
- Service
- Serving God
- Serving Jesus
- Serving your Neighbor
- Shadow
- Shalom
- Shame
- Sheep
- Shepherd
- Shepherds
- Shortcomings
- Sickness
- Silence
- Silence (Spiritual Discipline)
- Sin
- Sin Avoidance
- Sinfulness
- Singing
- Sinners
- Sins
- Sins of Omission
- Sins of the Church
- Slavery
- Sleep
- Snow
- Social Media
- Social Status
- Son of God
- Sorrow
- Space and Time
- Speaking in Tongues
- Speaking Truth to Power
- Speech
- Spending Time with God
- Spiritual Battles
- Spiritual Death
- Spiritual Health
- Spiritual Practices
- Sports
- Spring (Season)
- Stable
- Stars
- Status
- Staying Humble
- Steadfast Love
- Stewardship
- Stillness
- Storms
- Straying from God
- Strength
- Stress
- Stubbornness
- Stuff
- Success
- Suffering
- Sun
- Sunday
- Superheroes
- Surgery
- Surprise
- Sustainer
- Sweetness
- Symbols
- The Sacraments
- The Saints
- The Second Coming Of Christ
- The Soul
- The Spiritual Life
- The Star of Bethlehem
T
- Taking Up the Cross
- Teachers
- Temptation
- Terrorism
- Testimonies
- Thankfulness
- The Temple
- The Trinity
- The Twelve Disciples
- Theology
- Thirst
- Time
- Today
- Tomb
- Tongue
- Tower of Babel
- Tradition
- Transcendent
- Transformation
- Transgressions
- Treasure
- Tree of Life
- Trees
- Trinity Sunday
- Triumph
- Triumphal Entry
- Trouble
- True Worship
- Trust in God's Word
- Truth
- Turning a Blind Eye
U
V
W
- The Way
- The Will
- The Work of the Holy Spirit
- Wages of Sin
- Waiting
- Waiting on God
- Walking
- Wandering
- War
- Ways
- Weakness
- Weakness of Will
- Wealth
- Weariness
- Weddings
- Wickedness
- Wilderness
- Winter
- Wisdom
- Wisdom of God
- Witnesses
- Womb
- Wonder
- Work
- World
- World Communion Sunday
- World Leaders
- World Peace
- Worldliness
- Worldly Power
- Worship
- Worship Services
Top_level_categories by Reference
Genesis
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Nehemiah
Psalm
- Ps 1 (2)
- Ps 4 (1)
- Ps 8 (3)
- Ps 16 (7)
- Ps 19 (2)
- Ps 22 (4)
- Ps 23 (6)
- Ps 24 (3)
- Ps 25 (6)
- Ps 27 (6)
- Ps 28 (2)
- Ps 29 (1)
- Ps 30 (2)
- Ps 31 (1)
- Ps 32 (4)
- Ps 33 (1)
- Ps 34 (7)
- Ps 36 (1)
- Ps 37 (1)
- Ps 38 (2)
- Ps 40 (1)
- Ps 46 (9)
- Ps 47 (1)
- Ps 51 (21)
- Ps 57 (1)
- Ps 65 (1)
- Ps 70 (1)
- Ps 72 (3)
- Ps 84 (1)
- Ps 86 (2)
- Ps 89 (1)
- Ps 90 (5)
- Ps 91 (1)
- Ps 95 (2)
- Ps 96 (5)
- Ps 98 (2)
- Ps 100 (2)
- Ps 103 (8)
- Ps 104 (1)
- Ps 107 (1)
- Ps 110 (1)
- Ps 111 (2)
- Ps 113 (1)
- Ps 116 (1)
- Ps 118 (13)
- Ps 119 (2)
- Ps 121 (1)
- Ps 122 (1)
- Ps 124 (2)
- Ps 130 (2)
- Ps 131 (1)
- Ps 133 (1)
- Ps 136 (2)
- Ps 139 (9)
- Ps 145 (2)
- Ps 147 (2)
- Ps 148 (2)
- Ps 150 (1)