One-Word Check-In

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.

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?

We hear the rest of the story this week about what happened after Jesus reads scripture in his hometown synagogue. The people go from having their eyes fixed on Jesus to running him to the edge of a cliff after hearing the truth of Jesus' good news.