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Trusting the God Who Gives: Faith Reckoned as Righteousness

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As I said last week, Paul’s Letter to the Romans holds a special place in the lives of many. The epistle lesson this week comes from the fourth chapter of Paul’s letter. In the Wesleyan tradition (my own faith tradition) this chapter is significant for the following themes: Prevenient grace — God’s initiating action prior to human response. Justification by faith — being set in right relationship with God through trusting reliance upon divine grace. The universality of grace — the promise extends beyond ethnic Israel to all who share Abraham’s faith. Faith as living trust — not mere intellectual assent, but relational reliance that leads to obedient participation in God’s mission. In Lent, as we journey toward the cross, this passage reminds us that salvation originates not in human striving but in the gracious initiative of God in Christ. Wesley himself preached extensively on justification by faith and understood it as the graciou...
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Our Help Comes From the Lord! Reflections on Psalm 121

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As we journey through the season of Lent, we are invited to pause and reflect on our relationship with God. Many people find Psalm 121 a comforting psalm, a beautiful reminder of God’s ever-watchful presence and care in our lives. A Song of Ascents Psalm 121 is part of a collection known as the "Songs of Ascents," which were sung by the people of Israel as they made their way to Jerusalem for worship. As they traveled, they needed assurance of safety on their journey, just as we often seek reassurance in our own lives. The psalm begins with the question, “I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?” (Psalm 121:1). In a world filled with uncertainty, it’s natural to look for help and support, but the psalmist quickly reminds us that true help comes not from the hills or any earthly source, but from God himself, who created heaven and earth. God’s Unceasing Vigilance The psalm continues with a powerful declaration: “He will not let your foot be moved; he who k...
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Embracing the Call: A Journey of Faith

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As we enter the second week of Lent, we find ourselves reflecting on the story of Abram (Abraham), as recounted in Genesis 12:1-4. This passage marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, where God initiates a covenant with Abram, setting in motion a grand narrative of faith, promise, and hope for “all the families of the earth.” Genesis 12:1–4 (NRSVue)   Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him. The Call to Leave Familiarity In Genesis 12:1, we read, “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.’...
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Sermon: From the Garden to the Wilderness—A Lenten Journey Toward Grace

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 Sermon preached 2/22/2026 - Lent 1a - EUMC & BCUMC by Alan Swartz 1. Introduction: The Call to the Wilderness We begin our Lenten journey not in the dust of the desert, but in the lush abundance of a garden. It is a common misconception to view Lent merely as a season of arbitrary deprivation. In truth, Lent is a strategic “journey into the wilderness” designed for the restoration of the soul. To understand our need for this season, we must look back at the paradise of provision in the Garden of Eden. There, humanity was entrusted with the dignified vocation of serving and guarding that defined the first human work as priestly stewardship. Adam and Eve were not merely gardeners; they were the first liturgists, tending to the world as a sanctuary of God’s presence. However, we must reckon with the gravity of the fracture that occurred in that original sanctuary. This Lenten journey is a rescue mission because the death warned of in Genesis was not merely the stopping of ...
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From Eden to Gethsemane

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If you have been reading my posts each day this week, you have been traveling with me as we moved from the Transfiguration through Ash Wednesday to the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. In reviewing the lessons , I am struck by how our story moves from the lush abundance of a garden to the stark testing of the wilderness. The experience of Jesus in the wilderness begins the way back from the fracture that began when we first reached for what was not ours. In the Garden of Eden, God provided a paradise of abundance, setting a single boundary not as a restriction, but as a loving safeguard defining the space for trust and holy obedience. The tragedy of the Fall began when the serpent twisted this truth, casting doubt on God's character and suggesting that his boundaries were meant to keep us small. When we chose self-sovereignty over trust, our innocence was replaced by a stinging weight of shame. We have been sewing "fig leaves" of self-justification ever since, tryi...
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Journey Through the Wilderness: God’s Redeeming Grace

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What does Lent mean to you? Is it simply a time to make a sacrifice that provides a minor inconvenience? Give up chocolate or some other treat? For some, Lent may be a time to take back up one of those New Year’s resolutions that has already fallen by the wayside. But to be honest, I would often spend too much time thinking about what I was giving up rather than focusing on why I was giving it up. A couple of times in past years I gave up meat for Lent. Truth be told, that was more effective than giving up a treat like chocolate. Giving up meat required more of me. I did tend to be more reflective on my choice of deprivation. Now, that has been my experience. As it is often said: “Your mileage may vary.” During my Ash Wednesday sermon this week I suggested giving up certain types of behaviors. Harmful behavior. Behaviors that do not reflect the values of Christ. This week we have looked at the texts for the First Sunday of Lent: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32, Romans 5:12-19, a...
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Wilderness: A Lenten Reflection on Matthew 4:1-11

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As we approach the first Sunday of Lent, we turn to this Sunday’s Gospel lesson: the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles we face in our own lives. Matthew 4:1-11 describes how, after his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. As this story unfolds, we see the character of the Christ who is God’s chosen to announce the Kingdom of Heaven. Reflecting on Jesus’ experience may provide insights into our own faith journey. The Wilderness Experience The wilderness is often portrayed in Scripture as a place of testing and transformation. It is also associated with the number 40 [ read more here ]. In Matthew 4:1, we read, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” This leading by the Spirit underscores the necessity of finding that quiet time for reflection in our lives, especially during Lent. It is in the quiet, and often uncomfortable, places...
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