Had Jesus not used the image of the serpent in the wilderness as a metaphor of the resurrection (John 3:14-15), Christians may have been inclined to neglect the story entirely.

We know, especially as we reflect during this season of Lent, that the world is full of suffering and chaos and that much of that is caused by humanity.

Jesus points to the ways of peace. His life and ministry powerfully demonstrate love of neighbor and wholly living in faith.

Our challenge as those who have taken the step of faith to believe in the message of the cross is to relinquish control of our lives to God.

When we next look at a songbird, a fallen tree, or a patch of green earth amidst the snow, I hope we can find it in ourselves to think upon what God might be revealing about The Divine through creation.

Sometimes renewing our faith commitment means radical new ideas.

This week’s theme is “Making wise the simple.” The Scripture verses this week show us a variety of ways that God reveals wisdom.

When we have everything we want, what cross do we bear?

Instead, recognize your perfection in Christ! Recognize that though your flesh is sinful and doomed for death, you are now living in the spirit—a child of God.

Even when we are in difficult situations and feeling “upside down and inside out”, God is there to give us strength we don’t know we have.