You can't argue anyone out of their fear. You have to love them out of it. That's what we are reminded of in Matthew 21, writes Teri McDowell Ott.
You will likely be preaching the parable of the workers in the vineyard to a congregation of hardworking, rule-following people, writes Philip Gladden. This parable will offend them. What are we to make of it?
The writer of Psalm 103 sings for joy not only because he is gifted with steadfast love, but also because he is freed by it — free to shelter during life’s storms, free to flourish and grow as a child of God, writes Teri McDowell Ott.
Church is a team sport, writes John Wurster reflecting on Matthew 18:15-20.
How can you help challenge the common, negative assumptions? Brian Christopher Coulter looks at Paul and Howard Thurman for examples.
God is absent from the first two chapters of Exodus. But through the subversive and liberating activity of women, God is indeed at work. — Ginna Bairby
In Matthew 15, we see a Canaanite woman teach Jesus something about mercy. What does this mean for us?
Instead of focusing on Peter's ultimate sinking in Matthew 14, perhaps we should remember that Peter responded in faith, Philip K. Gladden writes.
Dana Moulds reflects on "willingness" and Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew.
The kingdom of heaven allows us to see our ordinary lives in extraordinary ways, Jo Wiersema writes, reflecting on Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.
Looking at the parable of the weeds in Matthew, Teri McDowell Ott discerns two calls for those who read the text.
Tara W. Bulger reflects on how Christians are to deal with "people-ee" people.
Looking at Romans 7:15-25, Tara W. Bulger reflects on God’s grace and the spiritual practice of self-examination.
It is not our faith, but God’s faithfulness that saves us.
Editor Teri McDowell Ott engages one of the notoriously difficult passages in Matthew where Jesus says, "I came not to send peace, but a sword."
In honor of Juneteenth, Stephanie Sorge weaves together multiple readings from the Revised Common Lectionary to reflect on God's liberating work.
There is room for everyone in Jesus’ community, but the marginalized get top priority.
Editor Teri McDowell Ott notes that the Great Commission calls us to go do — and to teach.
For Pentecost Sunday, editor Teri McDowell Ott wonders what we would venture to do if we trusted the Holy Spirit to use us.
It can be tempting as disciples to stand looking up at the sky, towards the place of holy mystery — but we're told to get a move on and be present in the world.
What would faith look like if we embraced "unknowing"?
In this lectionary reflection, editor Teri McDowell Ott highlights the danger of refusing to hear dissenting voices and the effectiveness of listening well.
In this lectionary reflection, editor Teri McDowell Ott reflects on the meaning of awe and the day-by-day pace it sets for the early Christian community.
"Hope, like fire, like flowers, requires tending. It is not a static object to be acquired and admired, but a living characteristic that we can let die or let loose." — Carol Holbrook Prickett
Jesus is patient with “doubting Thomas.” Maybe we should be too, writes Editor Teri McDowell Ott.
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