Holy Week: Follow the Calling of Jesus
As Women’s History Month winds down, let’s remember that roughly one-third of those listed in the Martyr’s Mirror are women – clearly demonstrating the central involvement of women in the Anabaptist movement. During Holy Week, let us remember to keep our focus on the salvation directly in front of us, and not to stray from […]
My times are in your hands
14 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. Photo by Ave Calvar on Unsplash. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.
Tending to Jesus — Missional Meditations
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation titled "Tending to Jesus." It is based on the Revised Common Lectionary for passion week. Though the twelve failed Jesus in his time of trial, others emerged to lovingly tend to his body. Mark 14:1-15:47 Thank you for joining us! This was initially […]
Waiting for the Lord?
What does it mean when the bible says "wait for the Lord?" Executive director Mike Sherrill finds the Japanese translation useful. Machinozomu (待ち望む), the combination of two Japanese characters, means wait and hope. We are not without hope as we walk through the unknown and struggles of this pandemic. Sherrill says that we must trust […]
Grain of wheat
Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.
Knowing by following — Missional Meditations
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation entitled "Knowing by following," based on the Revised Common Lectionary for March 21, the fifth Sunday in Lent. The desire to know God finds fulfillment in following Jesus—and the invitation to follow is for all people. Psalm 51:1-12 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:5-10 […]
God’s grace
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.
God’s steadfast love despite our wanderings
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town;5 hungry and thirsty, their soul […]
In our likeness — Missional Meditations
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation entitled "In our likeness," based on the Revised Common Lectionary for March 14, the fourth Sunday in Lent. God’s healing comes in the likeness of what ails us, and thereby shows God’s great love. Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Numbers 21:4-9 John 3:14-21 Ephesians 2:1-10 Thank you […]
Take up your cross and follow Jesus every day
In Mark 8:34-35, Jesus says to "take up your cross and do as I do." Mike Sherrill reminds us that the first step of discipleship is to give ourselves up to Jesus. We participate in the suffering of Christ as we pick up our cross and follow, surrendering to trust in God – even if we […]
Honor your parents
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Photo by Linda Shelly. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.
Christ crucified — Missional Meditations
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation entitled "Christ crucified," is based on the Revised Common Lectionary for March 7, the third Sunday in Lent. "Christ crucified" is the power to bring Jews and Greeks together as one body in the worship of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 Thank you […]