Discipling Life

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred. Crowds spread their cloaks on the road. Children shouted. People waved branches and cried out: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (v. 21:9) [Today's text -  Matthew 21:1-11, 27:20-23 ] Matthew tells us that after Jesus entered the city, people asked a simple but life‑changing question: “Who is this?” (v. 21:10) They saw a healer, a miracle worker, and someone they hoped would fix all their earthly problems right then and there. Their “Hosanna”—which means “Save us!”—was full of hope. During Holy Week, that question still echoes. Who is this Jesus we follow? On Palm Sunday, the people celebrated the kind of Messiah they wanted: one who would save them from Roman rule. But when Jesus didn’t fit their expectations, they turned against him. Their “hosannas” were loud, but their understanding was shallow. Later, we find Jesus standing before the governor, Pilate. The r...

Thoughts Upon Methodism, Rev. John Wesley 1.  I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America.  But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.  And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out. 2.  What was their fundamental doctrine?  That the Bible is the whole and sole rule both of Christian faith and practice.  Hence they learned,      (1)  That religion is an inward principle; that it is no other than the mind that was in Christ; or, in other words, the renewal of the soul after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness.      (2)  That this can never be wrought in us, but by the power of the Holy Ghost.      (3)  That we receive this, and every other blessing, me...

The people of Israel were standing at a new threshold. Moses had died. Joshua was about to lead people into a future filled with promise — and danger. As a pastor, I know the fears that creep into our churches. Fear of decline. Fear of conflict. Fear of not having enough—enough money, enough volunteers, enough energy. We stand at our own Jordan Rivers, looking at a future we can’t control, and we feel like Joshua must have felt: like a novice, standing on holy ground, unsure of our next step. Into that moment God speaks with steady, simple words: be strong and courageous. He says “be strong and courageous” three times to Joshua. God reminds him: “I will be with you. I will not fail you or abandon you.” Courage, in this light, is not the absence of fear. Courage is the decision to trust God’s presence and obey his word more than we trust our fear. Those words are not just for ancient Israelites. They are for you and me when life moves us to new places: a new job, a move, the grief...

Psalm 90 is a prayer that holds together two truths we often keep apart: God is eternal, and our lives are short. “For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past” (v. 4), yet our days “are soon gone, and we fly away” (v. 10). In Lent, this psalm invites us to face our limits honestly—not to frighten us, but to lead us into wisdom. It names the reality of sin and the weight of time. And yet, it also offers hope—a plea for wisdom, mercy, and the beauty of God’s favor resting on our lives. The psalm begins with an affirmation: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations” (v. 1). Before anything else existed, God was. That means we are never alone. Even when life feels uncertain or fleeting, God remains our home. Moses, the identified author of this psalm, doesn’t shy away from hard truths. He speaks of human frailty: “You turn us back to dust… our years come to an end like a sigh” (vv. 3, 9). He names the consequences of sin and the reality o...

Paul’s Letter to the Romans is a favorite of many. It was instrumental in the lives of Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther, and John Wesley, just to mention a few. The 8th chapter is often referred to as influential to people who love the letter. In fact, N. T. Wright has written an entire book on this one chapter titled, Into the Heart of Romans: A Deep Dive into Paul’s Greatest Letter .   The letter continues to be a strong influence in the church. Readings from Romans appear more than 30 times during our three-year lectionary cycle. A powerful passage sits at the heart of Paul’s letter to the Romans . As we examine our lives and follow Christ toward the cross, these verses are a balm and a summons. Paul pushes us to face the hard facts of life—suffering, loss, fear—and then to stand firm in the truth that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. First , there is God’s gift and assurance to us. Paul begins with a simple but life-changing question: If God ...

In the quiet of the Garden of Gethsemane, the night air was suddenly torn by the noise of a crowd. They came with swords and clubs, led by one of Jesus’ own friends. This moment, described in Matthew 26:47-56 , is one of the most painful in the story of our faith. It’s a scene of betrayal and confusion. It is a stunning revelation of God’s character. As the armed crowd approaches, one of Jesus’ companions reaches for his sword, striking out in defense. It’s a natural human reaction. When we are threatened, our first instinct is often to fight back, to meet violence with violence, to protect what is ours. But Jesus stops it immediately. He says, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” (vv. 52-54). Here, Jesus shows us a different kind...