
The Mysterious Servant Speaks: Isaiah 49:1-7
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
Three mysterious contestants sat before the celebrity panel. Each of the contestants stood in turn and announced, "My name is Robert Ethan Miller."
All three claimed the same name. It was the celebrities'…

Bruised and Burned Out, Like Us: Isaiah 42:1-4
Photo by Andres F. Uran on Unsplash
The bruised poinsettia leaves and burned out Advent candles are finally in the trash. I know. It's almost the middle of January. In my defense I love the cheery glow of Christmas decorations so much that…

Waiting in the Storm: Isaiah 30
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Welcome back to the waiting room. Yes, now that the cheer of Christmas and New Year's celebrations have passed, it's time to settle in. We've swept up the pine needles, taken down the lights,…

Prince of Peace: His Expanding Kingdom
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What would it feel like to not only have peace, but a Prince of Peace, one who would provide shalom. One who would bring a constantly expanding peace, that grows, puts out tendrils and takes new ground?…

Everlasting Father: Unwrapping Jesus’ Surprising Title
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How can Jesus be addressed as "Everlasting Father" when he's the Son? That was the starting point for the Third Sunday in Advent's sermon. And I was glad it was, because it happened to be my question…

Mighty God: Jesus, the Conquering One
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What kind of leader do we need today? A mighty man with a big mouth or a mild man with a bold VP? Ha! A full month after our election, we are still asking that question, even though no more uncounted…

Wonderful Counselor: Jesus, the Wise One
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I feel like I need a wonderful counselor while I'm wading through my Christmas shopping. Why? Because my inbox is filled with so many "wonderful offers!!!" Online Christmas shopping has begun in earnest and…

Justice, Generosity, and the Kingdom of God
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When Isaiah says, "Cleanse yourselves," do you and I immediately think of justice for the poor and marginalized? I usually don't. Instead, I think of my pet sins and my personal battle against them. In…

Surprised By Grace & Judgment, Isaiah 15-24
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Are you surprised by God's grace? Not always. We often take his grace for granted. What about his judgment? Does that surprise us? Actually, it shocks us, because we think, like Santa Claus, God will always…

Coming Soon: The Day of the LORD, Isaiah 13 & 14
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
If "The Day of the LORD" were a blockbuster movie, Isaiah 13-14 could be its movie trailer. In these two chapters, the prophet flashes scenes of devastation interspersed with heart-rending love…