Discipling Life

There are seasons in life when the road ahead feels uncertain. You may find yourself standing at a crossroads, wondering which direction will lead to life and which will lead to regret. Sometimes the choices are obvious, but often they are not. In those moments, what we long for is clarity, a light to guide our steps. Proverbs 4:10-18 presents a fatherly exhortation to embrace wisdom as a life-giving path and to reject the way of wickedness as destructive and disorienting. The passage is structured around two contrasting “ways” or “paths,” a common motif in wisdom literature. The way of wisdom is marked by instruction, righteousness, and increasing light, while the way of the wicked is characterized by moral blindness, compulsion toward evil, and deepening darkness. The wicked stumble in darkness, unable to see what trips them up (v. 19). But those who walk in righteousness travel a different road entirely. Their path is "like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighte...

In Matthew 27:15-23 , we see a strange and unsettling custom. To celebrate the festival, the governor would release one prisoner chosen by the crowd. Pilate gives them a choice that seems obvious on the surface. On one hand, there is Jesus Barabbas , a “notorious prisoner.” On the other, there is Jesus, the one called the Messiah , who had spent his days healing the sick and preaching about the kingdom of God. Now, let me make a note about the names. Barabbas (or Bar Abbas ) means son of the father. So, on the one hand you have Jesus, son of the father, and on the other hand you have Jesus, Son of the Father.  So, which ‘hand’ do you choose? Which Jesus do you choose? It is a heartbreaking moment. The crowd, stirred up by leaders who felt threatened by love and mercy, chose the way of violence over the way of peace. They shouted for Barabbas to be set free and for Jesus to be crucified.  This act represents a rejection of Jesus’s peaceful message in favor of a figure w...

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...

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...

(Reflecting on Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7) This Lent, we journey into the wilderness, seeking repentance and renewal. Yet, to understand our need for a Savior, we must return to the very beginning, to a garden where humanity’s relationship with God took a tragic turn. Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-7 offer profound insights into the human condition we still grapple with today. God’s Good Design and Gracious Boundary (Gen 2:15-17) “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’“ (NRSVue) Notice the abundance! God places humanity in a paradise of provision, entrusting us with purposeful work (“till and keep”). Within this goodness, God establishes one clear boundary. This wasn’t arbitrary restriction, but a loving safeguard, defining the space for trust ...

This was one of those weeks when the lectionary texts are incredibly full of possibilities. We could look toward Isaiah’s call for us to be a light to the nations or follow the invitation of Jesus to “come and see.” But my heart has been especially moved by John the Baptist’s profound declaration: “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” It feels like a text that belongs to Holy Week. It reminds us that from the very beginning Jesus is focused on his mission. Behold the Lamb of God that Takes Away the Sin of the World Author:   Alan Swartz Churches:   Ebenezer UMC and Black Creek UMC Date:   January 18, 2026 (The Second Sunday after the Epiphany) Scripture References:   Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 Introduction: The Abundance of the Word The lectionary texts for this Sunday presented a unique challenge for me. There are some weeks when I look at the lectionary texts and pray, “Lord, what in the world do you want...

God continually places before humanity the choice between life and death, blessing and destruction, calling people to deliberately choose the way of life through faithful discipleship and wholehearted devotion to Christ. Choosing life is both a decisive moment and a daily practice expressed through prayer, worship, justice, service, generosity, and faithful community, with the reminder that our choices shape not only our own lives but also the lives of future generations.  September 7, 2025 – Proper 18, Year C – EUMC & BCUMC Scripture Texts: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Philemon 1:1-21; Luke14:25-33 Introduction: Standing at the Crossroads Every day we make choices. Some are trivial—what to wear, what to eat for breakfast. Others carry weight that extends far beyond the moment. We choose careers that shape decades of our lives. We choose relationships that define our hearts. We choose words that can heal or wound. But among all the choices we face, there is o...