Unless the Lord builds the house

Unless the Lord builds the house

​Unless the Lord builds the house,    those who build it labor in vain.Unless the Lord guards the city,    the guard keeps watch in vain. Photo by Linda Shelly. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Together at God’s table

Giving and receiving hospitality in God’s mission  Introduction:  “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,” says the book of Hebrews, “for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (13:2 NRSV). Through hospitality, which creates an opportunity for strangers to becomefriends, we experience the presence of God.  Similarly, mission — the sharing of the good news of Jesus […]

Loyalty

Loyalty

15 So she said, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." 16 But Ruth said, "Do not press me to leave you    or to turn back from following you!Where you go, I will go;    where you lodge, I will lodge;your people shall be my people,    and your God my God.17 Where you […]

Have courage

Have courage

​46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many sternly ordered him to […]

Surrounded by love

Surrounded by love

​For he will command his angels concerning you    to guard you in all your ways. Photo by Ann Jacobs. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Who can be saved

Who can be saved

​23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go […]

Standing in awe

Standing in awe

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,    the moon and the stars that you have established;4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,    mortals that you care for them? Photo by Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Standing up

Standing up

​3 Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me—that is my petition—and the lives of my people—that is my request.  Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Gentleness

Gentleness

​13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.  Photo by Linda Shelly. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Wisdom calls

Wisdom calls

20 Wisdom cries out in the street;    in the squares she raises her voice.21 At the busiest corner she cries out;    at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing    and fools hate knowledge?23 Give heed to my reproof;I will pour out my thoughts to […]

Mercy

Mercy

​12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. Brick wall photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Come away

Come away

​12 The flowers appear on the earth;    the time of singing has come,and the voice of the turtledove    is heard in our land.13 The fig tree puts forth its figs,    and the vines are in blossom;    they give forth fragrance.Arise, my love, my fair one,    and come away. Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle