One-Word Check-In

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he sends prayers of thanksgiving and prayers of petition for them to receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation so they can know God, have insight into their call, and see where God is working among them.

So, a Pharisee and a Tax Collector go into a temple to pray...not a classic joke, but a parable told by Jesus in Luke 18:9-14. Jesus paints a picture of two contrasting prayers and doesn't mince words on which one he prefers.

What is living our creative best? Eugene Peterson explores that from Paul's letter to the Galations (Gal 6:1-10).

It may seem unnatural to be still in our world that is constantly in motion, but God sings along with the psalmist in Psalm 46 to "Be Still, and know that I am God."

Paul tells the Corinthians, "Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you broadcast the death of the Lord until he comes" (1 Cor 11:26). What does it mean to broadcast the death?

What does it mean to live "the live together" in Acts 2:42-47?

A good reminder to start the Season 5 -- We Belong to Each Other! What a different world we would live in, if we truly lived out this understanding.

During Pentecost, the Holy Spirit rushed in like the sound of a violent wind, and tongues of fire appeared before the disciples' heads, enabling them to speak languages they hadn't spoken before. They were bewildered and questioned, "What does this mean?" What does this mean when the Holy Spirit comes in like this?

Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God when they were imprisoned, and the foundation of the prison was shaken. Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit so strongly that it shook your foundation?

In Lydia's resurrection story, Christ opened Lydia's heart to receive Paul's message of Christ. Christ used her gifts to continue spreading the good news in a new land.

God gives Peter a vision about unclean animals becoming clean, and the Spirit tells us to not make a distinction between "us and them," referring to the Jews and Gentiles. Their strict laws became a hindrance to God's way. Do you hinder God?

In Tabitha's resurrection story, she "opened her eyes," and Peter showed she was alive. Where do you need to open your eyes to feel alive? Who can help show you are alive?

"Something like scales" fell from Saul's eyes when he was healed by the Holy Spirit. What were the scales on his eyes that prevented him from seeing the Risen Lord?

Jesus appeared to the disciples, and they believed in the resurrection when they saw Jesus. They told Thomas, who wasn't present, "We have seen the Lord." Thomas thought he had to see and feel Jesus for himself in order to believe, but Thomas was surprised that he really didn't need what he thought he needed.

During this Holy Week, we have our eye on Easter, trusting that Resurrection will soon come again. Have you experienced Christ's resurrection? Or is it more like an idle tale?

In the traditional Palm Sunday reading, we hear the familiar story of Jesus asking his disciples to go into town to borrow a colt, so Jesus can ride it into Jerusalem. We may be familiar with the crowds cheers, but if we read a little further, we see the story may have an unfamiliar ending.

When Mary anoints Jesus' feet, the room is filled with the fragrance. What was the fragrance and were there other aromas filling the room?

The familiar story of The Prodigal Son, based on Luke 15:11-32, shows us a beautiful connection between repentance and forgiveness.

In Luke 13:1-9, Jesus tells a parable about the fruitless fig tree, and the best chance of growth is for the gardener to put manure on it!

In Luke 13:31-35, Jesus uses an interesting image to describe his desire for Jerusalem -- a hen!

Jesus is test or tempted in the wilderness by the devil. What's the difference between a test and a temptation?

Luke 9:26-38 tells the story of when Jesus' transfiguration when he went up a mountain to pray. He physical appearance changed as God's light beamed through him.

Jesus continues the Sermon on the Plain to "you who are listening." It's hard to listen when we're told to "love our enemies," but this challenging teaching is the foundation of Christ's love.

Jesus joins the disciples on a level place and "levels with them" about the life-changing work they are called to do.

When Jesus needs assistance to accommodate a larger crowd at the shore, he sees two boats that can be used for his ministry. What do you have that Jesus can use?