Scripture“Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you're in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer.” - Romans 12:12 CEBReflectionThe Christian experiences the same world that everyone else experiences. They smile with delight at the birth of their nephew.  And they’re filled with anxiety at that child’s first steps. Their knuckles explode with pain when the wrench slips.  And their hands b...  Read More

Scripture"7 Be patient, therefore, brothers [and sisters], until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the ...  Read More

ScriptureHe was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:10-13ReflectionI’ve read this ...  Read More

Scripture"The Word became flesh    and made his home among us.We have seen his glory,    glory like that of a father’s only son,        full of grace and truth." - John 1: 14ReflectionI need you to read that again. “The Word became flesh, and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”What do you think it means for Christ to mak...  Read More

Scripture“The Scriptures say that the Messiah will come from the family of King David. Doesn't this mean that he will be born in David's hometown of Bethlehem?” - John 7:42Reflection“Mom, how tall is God?”[Gosh, I love kids’ questions.]“Well, God is everywhere, so it’s hard to say exactly how tall he is, but he’s really big,” I responded to my 5 year-old, thinking that answer would suffice.“But wh...  Read More

Last January, a woman that was relatively new to The Gathering caught me on a Sunday morning to tell me how meaningful it was for her to serve at one of our Christmas Eve services. She was hesitant to do so at first. It required some extra time, a bit of extra effort, and the rearranging of a few plans – but she said it ended up being the most powerful part of her Christmas. In particular, she got...  Read More