Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Joyful Thanks!

Last updated on: April 25, 2020 at 7:24 am By Bruce Epperly

XLI. JOYFUL THANKS Rejoice in God always; again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) As we continue our journey through Philippians, Paul’s counsel to rejoice seems counter intuitive. In this time of pandemic, what do we have to rejoice about? Sheltered in place, wearing face masks and gloves, thinking our neighbors a threat, what do we have to celebrate? Recognizing the death tolls, isn’t rejoicing calloused and unfeeling, a form of denial? The answer is “yes” and “no,” isn’t it?... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic: Pressing Toward the Goal

Last updated on: April 24, 2020 at 6:31 am By Bruce Epperly

XL. PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL ON ARBOR DAY “I press on toward the goal of the prize of the heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14) Perhaps some in our generation will mark time by the pandemic. It is a defining event, like the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor, 9/11, that challenged our way of life and assumptions and forces us to look at our lives and our nation in new ways. The rift created by the pandemic calls into question... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Fourth Sunday of Easter – May 3, 2020

Last updated on: April 23, 2020 at 2:57 pm By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fourth Sunday of Easter – May 4, 2020 Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, I Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 Each weekday morning and afternoon, a small group of church members and friends gathers for prayer on Zoom. Our anchor passage each day is Psalm 23 during this time of pandemic. Psalm 23 recognizes the threat, the enemy that threatens us, and the valley of the shadow of death, but more importantly recognizes that God is with us... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Shine Like a Star

Last updated on: April 23, 2020 at 7:52 am By Bruce Epperly

XXXIX. SHINING LIKE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE (4/23) “You shine like stars in the world.” (Philippians 2:15) You shine like a star. That’s a big affirmation, isn’t it? Perhaps Paul is remembering Jesus affirmation, “you are the light of the world…let your light shine.” Paul is reminding the Philippians and us that we can be lights in our world. We don’t have to succumb to fear and negativity, but having looked clearly at the challenges we face, we can be... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Earth Day Reflections

Last updated on: April 22, 2020 at 6:09 am By Bruce Epperly

XXXVIII. AWE AND EXCITEMENT ON EARTH DAY (4/22) “Work out your own salvation with awe and excitement; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you to both will and to work for God’s good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13-14, Bruce’s translation) Many translations say: “fear and trembling” rather than “awe and excitement,” these are as good as mine. But I have a reason for my alternative. First, “fear and trembling” suggest that God is judging us in a... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Having the Mind of Christ

Last updated on: April 21, 2020 at 5:01 am By Bruce Epperly

XXXVII. HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST (4/21) “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5) We must remember that Paul’s Letters were addressed to people just like us and congregations just like our own, mostly small, struggling, aware of their limits, and (also) hopeful in the new life of Jesus Christ. Paul challenges us to have the mind of Christ. He leaves the contours of the mind of Christ vague, inviting us to embody... Read more

FAITH IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC: THE GOOD WORK GOD IS DOING IN YOU

Last updated on: April 20, 2020 at 6:42 am By Bruce Epperly

XXXVIII. THE GOOD WORK GOD IS DOING IN YOU (4/20) For I am confident that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ…having produced a harvest of righteousness.” (Philippians 1:3, 11) Imagine that! Today, in the middle of a pandemic, God is doing a good work in you. God is at work in your life, planting seeds of hope and love, seeds of mission and creativity, and inviting... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Greater Things?

Last updated on: April 19, 2020 at 6:04 am By Bruce Epperly

XXXVII. (4/19) PRACTICING RESURRECTION “The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do, and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father…If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” (John 14:12, 14) This passage has always puzzled me. How can we do greater works than Jesus, who raised the dead, healed the sick, calmed storms, and rose on the third day? We are... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – The Bigger Picture

Last updated on: April 18, 2020 at 6:49 am By Bruce Epperly

XXXVI. (4/18) SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE “Think on these things, whatever is honest, pure, and lovely.” (Philippians 4:8) This morning I got ticked off as I was taking my sunrise walk on the Craigville beaches. At the edge of the parking lot, a visitor, no doubt practicing their own form of physical distancing, had left a of empty Blue Moon Pale Belgium Ale. For a moment, I couldn’t imagine what sort of lowlife would desecrate this beautiful place by such... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Got Doubt?

Last updated on: April 17, 2020 at 4:25 am By Bruce Epperly

XXXV. GOT DOUBT (4/17) But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and... Read more