Fake News
Joanne Gallardo
The Lectionary text this week comes from Matthew, often referred to as the “teacher’s gospel.” This passage in particular is one that highlights the blessing that is the teaching of Jesus. To be honest, this scripture goes everywhere. At first, we find Jesus followers, and Jesus in particular, to be under harsh scrutiny. Then, we […]
Jesus, in particular
Mark Schloneger
My scripture comes from Acts chapter 17, verses 21 through 34. Before I read it, though, I want to give you a little context on what’s been happening, So, “Previously, in Acts . . , “ Paul, Silas, and Timothy, have been on the road traveling through what is now modern-day Turkey and Greece. When […]
Reflections of the Way Life Used to Be
Joanne Gallardo
I’ve spent the last few weeks running away from my reflection. I’m talking about my literal reflection and metaphorical reflection. Any haircuts or personal grooming habits have sort of gone out the window given that Zoom doesn’t produce the sharpest image of ourselves. My lowered levels of vanity is probably a good thing. But I’ve […]
Loving our neighbors while suffering
Missy Kauffman Schrock
Are you suffering? I think many of us are. Maybe not all the time, but likely more than before the lockdown. This pandemic has gotten the best of us – we are more isolated from each other, or homebound togetherness may be leaning toward the tedious. Just going out of the house may feel riskier […]
Good Body
Mark Schloneger
Well, it’s time to address the elephant in the room: Shakira, J.Lo and the Super Bowl halftime show. Now, I know what you’re going to say. You’re going to say, “I haven’t thought about that for two weeks,” or, “I never thought about it at all,” or, “I don’t want to think about it again.” […]
A Taste and a Glimpse
Mark Schloneger
As soon as Nancy Pelosi ripped up the pages of the State of the Union, the Twitterazzi went to work. Some were filled with delight, loving that open display of defiance to a President’s troubling behavior and policies. Others were filled with outrage. It was disrespectful, they said, a sign that those others are more […]
The Parable of the Disgraced Father
Mark Schloneger
For most of my life, I have heard stories about the first house that my parents lived in. It was known to them and their neighbors as The Mengises. Mengis was the last name of the first owners of this house. So, in that rural community in Wayne County, Ohio the Schlonegers lived at the […]
What It Takes
Mark Schloneger
A few years back, a Super Bowl commercial for Doritos and Pepsi Max was pulled before it had the chance to be aired. That’s because a lot of Christians complained that it was too offensive. Letters were written, petitions were circulated, and some vowed never to eat Doritos or drink Pepsi again. Given the controversial […]
From Scarcity to Abundance
Joanne Gallardo
If I mention “The Fyre Festival,” how many of you know what I’m talking about? The Fyre festival was supposed to be the best music festival on the planet. For thousands of dollars, you could hop on a private jet to Pablo Escobar’s island, rent out a fancy villa, listen to hot musical groups while […]
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