JONAH: A Missionary Posture
Pastor Doug Dent
The simple truth is that Christians have much yet to say to a hurting world. God offers us a vision for how life may be transformed, like it was for the Ninevites, when we seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness. The helpful and hopeful word that Christians offer is the last, best chance to […]
OBADIAH: Get Off the Sidelines!
Pastor Doug Dent
Just wait a while. You will see that God always has the final word, the ultimate victory. The last chapter in every story is always God’s and it is always good. Which is why Obadiah concludes his prophesy with these words: “The kingdom will be the Lord’s” (v. 21). Judgment and victory are in God’s […]
AMOS: Living Level and Plumb
Pastor Doug Dent
Knowing that our lives are not always level or plumb, but trusting in the cross of Jesus, we can believe the words God spoke through Amos: “I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they […]
Joel: Choose Hope
Pastor Doug Dent
As we will see in the coming weeks, the story of God’s people will have further turns-for-the-worse. In part, that’s because Joel is offering a “someday” promise and not the immediate and incomplete blessing of a prosperity gospel. The key to Joel’s text is that hope is an option. It’s always an option because of […]
Hosea: The Darwin Awards
Pastor Doug Dent
Hosea’s story is a cautionary tale for those who seek to do their own things and go their own way. Hosea’s story is also a persuasive case for the grace and mercy of God toward God’s people. Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for us to leave our sins behind and to return to […]
What the Sheep See
Pastor Doug Dent
What do our “sheep” see when they look at us? We’re called to hear the shepherd’s voice and then, as leaders of the flock, to lead them in following Jesus. We do that by reflecting his care: ensuring that people are well-fed spiritually and physically; creating an environment of peace where people feel valued, cared […]
Hefted Shepherds
Pastor Doug Dent
English shepherds use the word “hefting” to describe the way in which a flock of sheep becomes accustomed and acclimated to a patch of land. Shepherds can also be “hefted” in this way, their lives and fortunes tied to a place and a flock that they love. Jesus is looking for good shepherds who will […]
Eyewitness Talk
Pastor Doug Dent
We believe the Gospels are recorded by reliable witnesses who saw and spoke and spent time with Jesus after the crucifixion. They were eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. We have very little hard proof that these things took place as the Bible described them; what we do have is the eyewitness talk of faithful people, […]
Flash Nonfiction
Pastor Doug Dent
The resurrection is a sort of threshold between this life and the next, and discussing it is a matter of our all-too-human minds racing ahead, endeavoring to touch the thing we can never fully know in this life. The apostle Paul gives us a possible flash-fiction story here. It’s flash because it’s quick and short. […]
Talking Stones
Pastor Doug Dent
The Palm Sunday story is a reminder to stand tall in the face of adversity, to cry out against injustice, and to shout “Hosanna!” for Christ is come, God’s reign begun, and the Spirit is among us transforming the world. Unlike the disciples, we really do know how this story ends: Jesus died to take […]
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