Psalms: Thanksgiving
Duane Oesch
Our last in the series from Psalms. Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; for God’s steadfast love endures forever. For God satisfies the thirsty and the hungry God fills with Good things.
Faith in God; trusting in God
Duane Oesch
Through the two stories of scripture about the widows, we learn that we are directed to have faith in God to provide for us. Even though things aren’t quite like they should be, God still takes care of us. Elijah had to tell King Ahab a message of God that brought judgment upon Ahab’s life […]
Freedom Bound: The Path of Justice
Duane Oesch
The prophets declare that God’s justice is coming through the promised Messiah. A moment of moral and spiritual clarity awaits us in this Advent as we pray for God’s Spirit to strengthen our hearts and lead us on pathways of justice. Freed from what keeps us captive, we can live in more caring and just […]
Freedom Bound: The Path of Trust
Duane Oesch
Fear of the unknown, fear of the past and fear for our security entangles and paralyzes us. On this third Sunday of Advent we bring our fears to God. We long to be released from their power over our lives. Instead of life-denying servitude or a jobless acceptance of fate, our passages counsel God’s people […]
Freedom Bound: The Path of Inclusion
Duane Oesch
The light Jesus brings into the world challenges and illuminates all the distinctions between us that we elevate as ultimate goods. For if the light has the power to draw wise men from afar and overcome barriers of former religious outcasts, what power does it still have to bring new freedom into our church and […]
Affirming our Priorities in God – Haggai
Duane Oesch
During the time when Haggai was prophet, the Israelites were settling back into their homeland after being exiles in Babylon and under the rule of Persians. They began to rebuild the temple and walls but became involved in their own lives and building their own homes. Haggai calls the people to turn back and finish […]
Lent 4 – Living Ink: Turning Over a New Leaf
Duane Oesch
“Turning Over a New Leaf”. As we turn over the page of each chapter in the grand covenant narrative, we find ourselves inited to “re-turn” to the open arms of Christ and his ways, and to experience his good news of reconciliation. What is our far country? where have I wandered? For anyone who wanders […]
Romans – Finding Our True Selves in Jesus
Duane Oesch
First in a series in Romans. Jesus, free from pressures of reputations, religion and relatives, remains himself while staying positively connected to those around him. Jesus–the fully Human One–reveals to us God’s intent for all humanity. We can live with authenticity and integrity, unmasked and fully ourselves. Only when we do this will our relationships […]
From Death to Life
Duane Oesch
The gospel is not another method of self-improvement. The gospel is forgiveness of sins and transformation into the likeness of Christ. As a Christian, you are dead to sin, dead to shame, dead to a need to cover up or sweep under, dead to any need for a glittering image or a false self. “Instead, […]
Jesus Lingers
Duane Oesch
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus engages in unpredictable, unexpected behavior. When circumstances would suggest Jesus should go this way, he goes that way. When circumstances call for action, Jesus lingers.
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