Scripture: John 8:12 (NRSV) Sevens are important in the gospel of John. Contained within it are: seven conversations with Jesus, seven miraculous signs Jesus performed , and seven I AM statements Jesus made about himself....

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9 (NRSV) There’s a fascinating teaching in Judaism called hiddur mitzvah. Hiddur means to “make beautiful.” Mitzvah means “commandment” or “good deed.” Hiddur mitzvah is a spiritual summons to make life and faith...

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 (NRSV) There has been a considerable amount of research on happiness that sheds light on what truly gives us joy and contentment in our lives—and it’s not what you’d think. 10% of...

Scripture: Isaiah 58:5-12 (NRSV) One of the greatest questions philosophers have pondered and debated over the centuries is “What is justice?” We can fix broken legs, correct poor vision with glasses, but it seems we...

Scripture: John 15:5-8 (NRSV) We human beings are a lot like roses. You can put a rose in a vase as a way to commemorate a loved one or celebrate a birth or an achievement....

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 (NLT) “The being of God,” notes Orthodox theologian John Zizioulas, “is a relational being: without the concept of communion it would not be possible to speak of God.” Created in the Triune...

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22 (NRSV) This Sunday we’re concluding our series on the Psalms with Psalm 103, a psalm of praise. Praise helps us hone in on the wonder and joy of this precious, short life...

Scripture: Psalm 102:1-28 (MSG) We all get the blues from time to time. It’s just a part of being human. We need the blues, to get through the blahs. Many of the psalms are blues...

Scripture: Psalm 62:1-12 (NRSV) When you’re in a place of trust, no matter what’s going on, you’re unruffled, unflappable, and imperturbable. Different religions and cultures have tried to describe this state of being: the Buddhists...

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-20 (NRSV) We can say that Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon. Or that George Washington crossed the Delaware River. But with Israel, we say: “God brought us through the waters of the Red...

Scripture: Psalm 25:1-22 (NRSV) Reading the wisdom psalms can feel a lot like reading the book of Proverbs. Wisdom psalms are often in acrostic form, which is a memory device for the one reciting the...

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12 (NKJV) The psalmist personifies our human emotions in Psalm 30. Weeping is a guest that stays only a night, but hits the road before sunrise. But Joy—joy is a beloved member of...