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
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
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
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
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
Choices
"Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Photo by Justin Luebke on […]
Holiness of God
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. Photo by Travis Duerksen. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.
Bread of life
47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of […]
Build up the church
11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to […]
Gifts multiplied
1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was […]
Proclaiming peace
15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were […]
A house of peace
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation titled "A house of Peace." It is based on the Revised Common Lectionary for Sunday, July 18. The peace of Jesus Christ makes us a dwelling place for God’s presence, and fulfills the promises made to David. Mark 6:30-35, 53-56 Ephesians 2:11-22 2 Samuel […]