In a world permeated by social media and advertising, we are constantly pressured to fit into certain images or boxes. We are often made to feel less than if we don't fit a certain standard of beauty or accomplishment. We also become so ingrained in this culture that we in turn push others down if they don't fit our own standards as well. All of it beckons the question, what really counts in life? Is it our appearance? Is

This may be a question you are often asked by friends and those close to you. The motivation behind it is that we never want to be a burden on people. But what we often forget in this question is what real love looks like. Real love for our friends and family goes out of its way no matter the cost or inconvenience. This week's scripture comes from 1 Samuel 3:1-21 when Samuel is called by God. All throughout

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday which is a time when we are reminded of our human nature. It's a time when we come to face our finite existence on this earth and acknowledge the breadth of everything that makes us human. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season which leads us up to Easter. This is intended to be a season of preparation for the Resurrection that is yet to come. Often this is done through fasting and spiritual disciplines

This morning I (and all of us) woke up to the news of Ukraine being invaded by Russia. This event marks a tragic day for our world as lives have been lost, safety has been threatened, and global stability is at stake. I can't help but fear the vast consequences of this act of violence. But this also isn't the only thing going on in our world. We each have things going on in our own lives that cause

This week in worship we are reading from Deuteronomy 10:12-22 just after Moses receives the second set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments. And Moses poses this rhetorical question to the Israelites, "So what does God require of you?" He then offers the answer as a "simple" solution. "Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

My Peloton workout yesterday was a "climb ride" which means that it is a constant climb through the whole workout. I didn't realize how difficult it would be until we increased the resistance about 3 times without a break in between. Before I knew it I was shouting in pain. I thought for sure there would be a time to breathe before we went into the higher climb, but I thought wrong. The workout just got more and more

This can be anything that has deep meaning to you. Maybe it's a tatoo reminding you of a profound message along your day-to-day life. Maybe it's an article you inherited from a loved one. Maybe it's a superstitious item that you carry with you daily. Maybe it's even a ritual practice you do on the regular to keep yourself stabilized. For me, I have a ring that belonged to my grandfather and a few religious pins from my grandmother. Even

Rules are ingrained in our minds from a very early age. Rules are emphasized by parents, coaches, teachers, and all types of leaders in our lives. Rules are to be followed and not to be broken. However, because we often interpret rules as "what not to do" they become less and less appealing to us as we grow older. We see it all the time in teenagers and young adults who blur the lines and test the waters just

I JUST NEED TO START OVER! Have you ever felt this way? Sometimes we get in such a bind that it seems there is no way to undo the mess we have created. Or maybe everything in life is just so overwhelming and we long for a breath of fresh air. Maybe we have become so confused in our heads and we don't know which way is forward. The truth is we all need a restart from time to time.

Have you set any New Year's resolutions? If so, how many of them have you already broken? I find every year I set out to do something, it's only a matter of days before I fall short of my aspirations. Almost a week into 2022 and I am sure many of us have already struggled to keep up with things that we desired for this year. Instead of binding ourselves to the notion of a resolution, I pose the