One-Word Check-In

For this upcoming Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost. This scripture is a companion piece to the traditional Acts scripture. The Acts scripture tells us what happened, but this scripture tells us why.

Jesus prays for eternal life for the disciples, and he defines what eternal life is. It's not quite how we have defined it.

In the continuation of Jesus' conversation to his disciples, he promises, "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you." This promise holds true no matter how distance we feel from God.

Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father, and they would be satisfied. We always think we know what will satisfy us, yet just as Philip learns, it's often right in front of us.

In John 10:1-10, Jesus tells his followers that he is the gate, whom they come in and go out and find pasture. What does it mean to find pasture?

On the walk to Emmaus, two disciples confess that they had hoped Jesus was the one.

As we prepare for the resurrection this coming Sunday, don't rush past the cross. Make time to walk all the way to the cross.

The Whole City was in turmoil during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Some were celebrating; others were protesting; still others were confused as to what was unfolding before them.

When Lazarus has died, he tells the disciples, "Let us go to him." Community is an important part of grief and new life.

Jesus heals a man born blind but his healing goes beyond physical sight.

The woman at the well affirms that the well is deep -- deeply engrained beliefs tied to identity and practice. Jesus offers something different. Living water that bubbles up from within.

In John 3:1-17, Jesus shares with Nicodemus a different way of living -- a Spirit-led love that might actually save the world.

For this First Sunday of Lent, we explore the difference between a test and a temptation, and who exactly is the tempter in Matthew 4:1-11.

Peter, James, and John were afraid of God until Jesus touched them and told them to "get up" and "not be afraid." When they raised their eyes, they were brave enough to open their eyes to Jesus.

When Jesus calls his first disciples in Matthew 4:12-23, he does so with an invitation and a promise to show them how to be a disciple.

After Jesus was baptized, John shares his testimony about what he saw and why he is convinced Jesus is the Lamb of God. He makes sharing our faith look so easy!

Jesus came to be baptized by John, but John protested that he should be the one being baptized by Jesus. Jesus said, "For it is proper," to do this. Often, faith becomes the proper thing to do. What could Jesus mean by "proper"?

John 1:1-18 gives us a one-two punch -- a creation story and nativity story wrapped into one! That tells us the whole purpose was to give us a light to live by!

Joseph received instructions from an angel through a dream to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. In fact, he had 3 more dreams in this scripture passage of Matthew 2:13-23. Have you ever had a dream where God gave you a special message?

In Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph has a dream where an angel visits him to tell him of God's dream. Does God's dream differ from the dream Joseph had for his life?

Jesus asks this question in Matthew 11:2-11 three times. Reminding the crowd of their spiritual experience in the desert, Jesus affirms John's ministry.

John the Baptist lives into his calling of "preparing the way" for Jesus. How do we prepare the way for Christ?

As the First Sunday of Advent approaches, Matthew offers a theme of Christ's return while the rest of the world is focusing on the birth of Jesus.

Explaining God's grace can be hard. It's so diverse. That's why Peter used the word "manifold" to describe it.

In Luke 20:27-38, the Sadducees try to trick Jesus into asking a question about the resurrection. Jesus invites us to ask our questions, but with an open heart and with pure intentions.