Long ago I stopped watching movies about our Black History dealing with the painful stories of slavery. I cringe at the horrible abuse our people went through and yet they persevered to the bitter end. Of course, other cultures have also suffered beyond words. I say that to think about how much suffering Jesus went through to redeem us from the slave block of sin. We have just come through the Eas...  Read More

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (1 Corinthians 12:9). The phrase in this scripture that God’s grace in sufficient, resonates with me during difficult times. This reminds me that God's grace sustains us through any and all hardships. It offers strength, comfort, and assurance that our God is trustworthy in all circumstances. Because the Lord is alive nothi...  Read More

The following is part two of a letter to Simon of Cyrene that was written by Joseph McAuley (assistant editor of the magazine “America”) on March 26, 2016: “…Carrying a cross demands everything a person has and in doing so, Jesus went to the boundaries of endurance and beyond, when he could endure no more and offered himself totally. He became the receptacle of humanity’s untold sins, crushed for ...  Read More

Simon of Cyrene was from Libya in northern Africa. He was in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover when Jesus was taken into custody and crucified. He is mentioned in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The following is part one of a letter to Simon that was written by Joseph McAuley (assistant editor of the magazine “America”) on March 26, 2016: “Dear Simon of Cyrene, In the New Testament narrative...  Read More

It’s easy to become discouraged and distracted in today’s world. With wars and the constant threat of conflict in so many places, you may find yourself wondering, “What is this world coming to? Will I make it?” These feelings are understandable, especially when uncertainty and fear seem to dominate the headlines and conversations around us. Popular culture often portrays the end of the world or th...  Read More

What is the difference between doing things out of desire ("I want to") versus obligation ("I have to")? Years ago, a church member was struggling financially. I saw that her son needed new shoes, so I helped to buy him a new pair. I didn’t think about being repaid or even the cost; I just wanted to bless him. This made such a lasting impact that years later, he still recalls this act as genuine k...  Read More