Holidays and Celebrations

  • The Open Door and the New Name: Advent Hope from the Church in Philadelphia

    December 14, 2025 
    Revelation 3:7-13 (NKJV): 
    7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
    ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 
    13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

    Today’s message, we open with the Book of Revelation, written by the apostle John as he addresses the spiritual state of the church in Philadelphia. Morris Ashcraft (1972) writes: 

    “The city stood on a plateau near rich volcanic soil which supported rich agriculture.  Philadelphia became a city rich in commerce from the grapes grown in the surrounding area, in whose villages many of the people preferred to live rather than in the city. A major reason was the fear of earthquakes…”  

    Philadelphia obviously shared the same earthquake that leveled the city of Sardis (the ancient city recognized as the capital of the Lydian Empire). Philadelphia was severely damaged in the earthquake of 17 AD and was later rebuilt by the Emperor Tiberias, who financed the rebuilding of the city and gave it the new name ‘Neocaesarea,’ in his honor.  Philadelphia was a city of wealth, known for its grape industry, and therefore worshipped the pagan god Dionysus (god of wine). The worship of this pagan cult caused Philadelphia to receive the same condemnation as other cities that practiced rampant idolatry. 

    How does this passage relate to the Season of Advent? Seems a bit odd to jump right to the final chapter of the New Testament. Opening with verse 7, we assume that Jesus is speaking of Himself: “He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David…” It’s this part of the passage here that connects us to the Advent Season. 

    In Luke 2:11-12 (NKJV)

    11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

    And in Matthew’s gospel 1:1, the genealogy of Jesus says: 

    1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

    Jesus, as traced through the human lineage of David, appears in the Book of Revelation bearing the “key of David.”  As Christ in human form descended from David and Abraham, HE TRULY IN HIMSELF IS THE STORY OF SALVATION—GOD’S SAVING GRACE.

    He is the promise to the church, and is still part of a timeless message:

    BEHOLD, I AM COMING QUICKLY!

    People today often take these words for granted. Many modern Bible scholars will point out today that the early church had to reconcile with the problem that many people at the time of Christ believed they would see the second coming of Christ in their lifetimes. Whereas the second generation of Christians had to acquire a way of balancing, or rightly interpreting these texts.

    Justin Martyr, who wrote in the year 160 A.D. stated: “Two advents of Christ have been announced. In the first one, He is set forth as suffering, inglorious, dishonored, and crucified.  However, in the other advent, He will come from heaven with glory, when the man of apostasy…speaks strange things.”

    Almost a hundred years later, in the year 250, Cyprian wrote: “Already His second coming draws near to us.” And, so we have a little over two hundred years later, Cyprian’s writing shows that hope still remains for Christ’s return. Therefore, what I find significant about all of this is that by citing words from the early church fathers, this goes to prove the endurance of the timeless message that Jesus Christ is coming.

    Part of our human weakness is our lack of patience, lack of endurance, and our unwillingness to suffer long. We may note that the people of ancient Israel longed for a Messiah to come. I would have liked to have known the minds of the people who heard first from the prophet Isaiah:

    Isaiah 7:13–14 (NKJV)

    13 Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

    It would be over 700 years later before these words would be fulfilled. We can only imagine the generations of people who abandoned the promise. That is probably why the people, if they were looking for any Messiah to come at all, were looking for a conquering ruler. They were looking for a conqueror and not a Savior! 700 years before this was fulfilled, so we should not be bothered that we have been waiting 2,000 years for Christ’s return. 

    As part of God’s plan, the first advent introduces the world to a Redeemer. The second advent of Christ introduces the people of the world to a Ruler and that Christ will bring an end to the world that we presently know. 

    This means change! 

    Many of us are like old light bulbs hanging in a chandelier. Even when a bulb burns out, we don’t allow for it to be changed because Grandma Jones installed that light bulb in 1927.  Furthermore, that light bulb hasn’t even be dusted since Mrs. Jones died in 1947.  Since Grandma is no longer with us, we have chosen that light bulb (which is now that burned out, old dusty, light bulb) as a means to remember her. There’s a plaque on the wall over there, that has an arrow pointing to that light bulb. Under the arrow reads, “Light bulb donated in memory of Mrs. Hilda Madeline Mae Jones.”

    The unwillingness to change is a demonic concept and part of a plan the devil uses to keep the church from moving forward. Every Christian should know that true conversion means change.  I would hate to think that any of us were told by some preacher, or parishioner,  “God loves you the way you are. You don’t ever have to be sorry.  So, therefore, just live your life the way you want to!”

    The Biblical message commands us to change the way we are living. Are we not supposed to be GROWING in our faith? How can one grow and still stay the same? Furthermore, have we forgotten that the very first message Jesus preached was: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4.17)

    Change is an ongoing reality.  And, especially when one begins to discuss what will occur in the last days. The words spoken to the church at Philadelphia are completed in a greater scope at the end of the book of Revelation. The New Jerusalem will be revealed. New things, heaven and earth, will come to pass. There will be a new kind of existence for Christians, who will be given new bodies. With all things that are new, Jesus says,  “And I will write on him…MY NEW NAME.”

    With this we already know that Jesus has many names.  The prophet Isaiah foretold in Isaiah 9.6 (NKJV): 
    6 For unto us a Child is born,
    Unto us a Son is given;
    And the government will be upon His shoulder.
    And His name will be called
    Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
    In the New Testament’s gospel of Matthew we learn about Jesus from Matthew 1.20-23 (NKJV): 
    20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
    22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

    Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Immanuel, Lord, the Son of God–Jesus.  How many more names could Jesus be known by?  It is not for the human imagination to say.

    During this special season, Christ’s message to the church in Philadelphia speaks to us. We are called to persevere, to hold fast to God’s Word. We are called to be alert; to be expectant, knowing that Christ came once, and Christ will come again. When Christ comes, there will be new things.  

    When we think of the gifts we will open up, ones that we receive from friends and loved ones, there is no gift that can be given that will measure what God will give to those who stand strong in faith. However, let the newness of our gifts remind us of the new things God will bring us…

    THAT ON OUR HEARTS WILL BE WRITTEN A NEW NAME

  • The Dawn of God’s Mercy: Zechariah’s Prophecy and the Hope of Advent (Luke 1:67–80)

    December 7, 2025

    Luke 1:67-80 (KJV): 

    67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 
    68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
    69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
    70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
    71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
    72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
    73 The oath which he swore to our father Abraham,
    74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
    75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
    76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
    77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
    78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
    79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
    80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

    Luke 1:67-80, known as the Canticle of Zechariah or the Benedictus, is a significant hymn found in the Gospel of Luke. Many people recognize this text for its liturgical value; for the common reader, the text is a celebration or a story of a prophet coming forth. Unlike many prophets in the Old Testament who made proclamations that they never saw fulfilled during their lifetime, this prophet will live to see One coming after him. 

    My New Testament professor in college said, “The Bible is its own best interpreter.” Here, Luke (the author) assumes his readers are already familiar with the plan of salvation God has for His people in Israel. He cites the holy prophets, stating that God will preserve us from our enemies and fulfill his holy covenant. 

    This time of year, we begin to focus on the small baby in the manger. The spotlight shines on Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, the holy family. We see these figures placed in many nativity scenes while driving around our community. Next, we see the wise men, the shepherds, and sometimes a few farm animals or camels. Rarely do we acknowledge the others in this story; Zacharias, Elisabeth, and John. However, this isn’t so much of a surprise since John the Baptist often sought to lower himself and remain humble even in his birth narrative. 

    The message of salvation is a dominant theme in this passage. It is easy to see why people misunderstood Christ’s mission. Some might wonder why God wouldn’t just remove everything that is frightful and evil and take away sin entirely to restore righteousness, justice, and peace to the world. It’s likely that the people during Christ’s time also thought like this. They might have envisioned getting ready to take up arms, to be delivered from their enemies of oppression during the Roman world the way God led their ancestors into battle; they were ready to fight. With this mindset, it’s surely that many were also disappointed when they were told thirty years later to love their enemies instead. 

    We are reminded of the words of Isaiah 9:6 (KJV), “for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

    We see this child as the Prince of Peace. But then we become confused when we hear Jesus saying:

    Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: 
    I came not to send peace, but a sword.
    Matt 10:34 (KJV)

    What does Jesus mean here? Does He bring peace or not? We begin to theologize that He must have some kind of Peace that we don’t know about because in John 14:27 (KJV), he says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

    However, today, with tragedy reported hourly, we wonder, “Where is there peace?”

    Turning back to verse 76-79: 

    76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
    77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
    78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
    79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

    The child was going to be called “the prophet of the Highest…” He was going to: 

    1. He was going to prepare the way of the Lord.
    2. He was going to give knowledge of salvation to the people.
    3. He was going to demonstrate the tender mercy of God.
    4. He was going to give light to the ones who were in darkness…

    He was going “to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

    When is there peace?

    The Bible always brings up a point “if there’s a will, there is a way.” From the book of Judges: And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein ye go. Judges 18:6 (KJV).

    From Proverbs: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov 14:12 (KJV)

    The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. Prov 15:24 (KJV)

    From the gospel of Matthew: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt 7:13-14 (KJV)

    From the gospel of John: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 (KJV)

    Today’s gospel states that there is a “way of peace.”

    I have to conclude that this does not mean that there will be peace on earth. Not as long as the forces of darkness remain will there be peace on earth.

    But the way of peace says something much different. It means that there is a lifestyle of peace. There is an attitude of peace. There is a possibility for someone to have peace in the midst of suffering and turmoil. There is a rest in peace that may mean something far more literal and spiritual than what is printed on tombstones. There is a peace that passes all understanding. There is a peace that comes to those who seek God. And only His peace will sustain those who pray to live in peace in a troubled world.

    When is there peace? 

    There is always a great possibility for peace. Truly, we must recognize Christ as the Prince of Peace. When His peace comes to satisfy, His peace is everlasting. I HOPE TODAY YOU RECEIVE PEACE. 

    Resources: 

    Bibleinterpretation.org. “Luke 01:67-80 The Canticle of Zechariah”  

  • Thanksgiving and Grace: Giving Thanks for God’s Unmerited Favor (Romans 5:12–21)

    November 23, 2025 
    Romans 5:12-21 (NKJV)
    2 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--
    13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, must more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 
    18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

    Where would we be without grace? 

    This week, many of us will gather around a table with our loved ones; we will pause and think about what we have to be thankful for. We may be thankful to God that we have been able to pay bills, the little miracles that occur in our checkbook, or at least the rubber checks that haven’t bounced. We may be thankful for the roof over our heads, the food on our table, and the clothes on our backs. 

    As tragedy after tragedy affects our country and across the world, we should appreciate our lives, as we are reminded of those who have recently died in tragedy. At the time Dr. DARF wrote this sermon (in 2001), it was shortly after the tragedy of 9/11 and the bombing of the World Trade Center. Since then, we’ve continued to see tragedy. We see tragedy in our youth with some of the highest percentages in depression, anxiety, and stress. We see tragedy in the school systems, a place once safe for our youth, now a place of tragedy and fear. We see tragedy in our nation, our government, with its greed. Tragedy is everywhere and with so much tragedy, we must recognize that there will be many families overcome with grief and likely not in the mood to celebrate the Thanksgiving season. The holidays will bring difficulty. 

    But there is God! And we give thanks to God. This week, I’d like to share a song from the 1970s by Andre’ Crouch, To God Be The Glory. Many of us recognize this song…”To God be the glory / For the things he has done / With his blood he has saved me / With his power he has raised me / To God be the glory / For the things he has done…” 

    Check out Natalie Grant’s version of Andrae Crouch’s “To God be The Glory” (2020).

    This song reflects the message of this text. While none of us have ever done anything to deserve God’s goodness, through Christ, He has given us His grace. It has been said “that grace is unmerited favor,” therefore, grace cannot be earned. It is only because of God’s great and wonderful everlasting love that He offers grace to wretched sinners. Of course, at this point, we have to look at our own views. 

    • Do we see ourselves as a righteous person, and do we consider ourselves totally free of sin? 
    • Do we see ourselves as a wretched sinner, that can only be saved by God’s amazing grace? 

    Like many of you, I have met some of those who feel they have gone on to perfection. It doesn’t do much good to argue with those people, as most of them are convinced they are good people. As for myself, I am a wretched sinner. I may hold the appearance at times as looking somewhat holy but I know what’s inside of myself. And, in case I forget, God has given me family and friends who are always kind enough to remind me of my faults to keep me in line. And, in recognizing my wretched state, my thanksgiving expressed to God for his amazing grace can only be stated through gratitude. 

    Thanksgiving is showing Gratitude for Grace

    Unlike the impatient youngster whose parents force him to refrain from diving into that gloriously roasted, juicy, golden drumstick at Thanksgiving dinner, one realizes that although the din

    ner may taste good, there is nothing like the everlasting banquet God is preparing for those He has redeemed. Food is tasty, and while many of us will enjoy 80-90 Thanksgiving meals during our lifetime, there is still no comparison for the ultimate satisfaction that God brings. So, we turn to that youngster and say “Do you realize there is something here that is better than that turkey drumstick? We also have ham and stove-top stuffing!”

    But, there is something better than stuffing – how about being stuffed full of God’s grace? Is it possible that being stuffed full of God’s grace has something to do with our tradition of saying grace? This idiom is a common expression that we’ve used for many years to describe the act of giving thanks before a meal. It can be traced back to ancient times when people believed that food was a gift from the gods, and in our case, THE God. So, since saying grace is what we do…let’s say grace! 

    Let us say grace as more than a mere statement of thanksgiving offering at a traditional place and time. Let us say grace as a joyful expression celebrating God’s amazing love working in us. Our saying grace may be a worshipful demonstration, giving a marvelous testimony to the heartfelt profession of faith in God’s acts of salvation. Whatever it means to you to say grace, don’t do like some people and say grace without commitment, without emotion, and without feeling. God deserves for us to say grace, in recognition of His amazing grace, with hearts filled with praise, and grace on our lips. In short — say grace, and make sure you mean it. 

  • Corcoran Collection (The Evans-Tibbs Collection, Gift of Thurlow Evans Tibbs, Jr.)

    God’s Promise Fulfilled: The Good Shepherd in Ezekiel 34

    November 16, 2025

    Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 (NRSV): 
    11 For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land.  14 I will feed them with good pastures, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. 

    20 Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you pushed with flank and shoulder; and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, 22 I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken. 

    The number of “I will” statements in the Ezekiel 34 scripture inspires today’s message. In this passage alone, the Lord says “I will” at least 15 times, which leaves us with the impression that God makes promises and is willing to act on those promises.  At this current time, we are in the middle of the Thanksgiving season, with Christmas and Advent just around the corner. And with this, we are drawing close to the end of another year, which leaves many of us wondering what the next year will bring. 

    Returning to the Biblical text, these words come to us from the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel lived during one of the darkest chapters in Israel’s history, the Babylonian exile, around 593 B.C. He was among the first group of captives taken from Jerusalem to Babylon after King Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion in 597 B.C. Ezekiel and many others settled near the Chebar Canal, a network of irrigation channels near Babylonia. Life in exile was not the brutal imprisonment we might imagine; the people had homes, fields, and even opportunities to work and prosper. They were far from free, but they were allowed to live, to build, and to worship God as best they could in a foreign land.

    Ezekiel carried God’s truth to the people who had lost nearly everything. They had lost their land, their temple, their hope. He ministered among the exiles who struggled to understand why God had allowed such devastation, reminding them that even in Babylon, God was still present. History tells us that Babylon was a city of splendor, filled with temples, palaces, and idols. Ezekiel had seen its wealth and power firsthand, yet he also saw how empty it was compared to the glory of God.

    While Ezekiel lived comfortably and had a measure of stability, his heart and ministry were not concerned with material life. His mission was spiritual: to proclaim that God’s presence was not confined to Jerusalem, and that His desire was to restore His people, to cleanse their hearts, and to renew His covenant with them. Even in exile, Ezekiel called his people to remember who they were and to trust that God had not abandoned them, but was preparing them for renewal.

    In today’s scripture, we see a picture of God being the True Shepherd. Bernhard Anderson, an Old Testament scholar, states, “Yahweh is the God Shepherd who goes out to seek for sheep that are lost, crippled, or strayed, in order to restore them to their home pasture.” 

    Ezekiel 34:11 states: 

    For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.” Again, the I Will statements are made to indicate how far God is willing to go and all that God is willing to do. An interesting observation about the I Will Statements is that there is no direct word-for-word translation from the ancient Hebrew (as the Old Testament was written in Hebrew). Instead, there is a Hebrew word given for each phrase, for example, “I will search” or “I will rescue” is stated with one word, ‘er’eh, which means “I will shepherd.” God merely begins to say ‘I will” meaning he is determined to do so. Then, according to a list of Hebrew words, there is a list of what God will do: 

    1. I will require
    2. I will search
    3. I will rescue
    4. I will lead
    5. I will gather
    6. I will shepherd
    7. I will seek
    8. I will bring back
    9. I will bind up
    10. I will strengthen
    11. I will destroy
    12. I will judge
    13. I will save
    14. I will establish
    15. I will be

    God could have also added, “I will be very busy!” For again, with everything it says God will do, God will do it for these people. Therefore, I have to believe that this must have been a hope-filled message to the original hearers. But, there’s more! 

    There is a Messianic prophecy. While God states he intends to do this all Himself, toward the end of the text, he says: 

    23 I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken. 

    It’s important to note that God doesn’t plan on resurrecting King David. King David reigned roughly from 1010 to 970 B.C.

    During David’s reign, Israel was united as one kingdom. King David was at least 400 years prior to this message from Ezekiel and King David had established Jerusalem as the capital, brought the Ark of the Covenant there, and made worship central to national life. By Ezekiel’s time, the unified kingdom David had established was long gone. Jerusalem, the city David had made the heart of Israel’s faith, was in ruins. The temple Solomon (King David’s son) had built was destroyed. So, God isn’t actually referring to King David directly in this text. Instead, he is talking to the descendants of David. The gospels of Matthew and Luke record taht Jesus was born a descendant of David. So, quite naturally, Jesus comes along (maybe 600 years later but it still aligns directly with what’s been prophesied about Christ), and said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, NRSV). Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the one who would care for the sheep. 

    What do we learn from this message today? 

    Jesus is the good shepherd, the one and true shepherd who genuinely cares for his people today. Just like in Ezekiel’s time, and then just like Jesus’ time, we still see the same people often led astray by religious leaders. For this reason, many people may argue with us when we tell them that they need to go to church. Almost immediately, some people will boast, “I don’t want to go to church because it is filled with hypocrites.” But this line gets old. You aren’t going to find a “perfect” Christian. 

    Another way of applying this text is by seeing it through the context of the liturgical calendar. We are in the season of Thanksgiving and nearing the end of the liturgical year. It is appropriate to begin looking at Messianic prophesies because they reveal to us what God has done in history to prepare for the coming of His Son into the world. Year after year we start to see our world become more absorbed in the commercialized idea of Christmas. The problem I see is that the season of Christmas isn’t long enough for people to fully rasp its real meaning. For many people, Christmas begins when they put up their outdoor lights or when they buy their Christmas tree. Christmas begins when Walmart starts putting up the holiday bundles, candy, and decorations. Christmas is definitely long enough for the corporate businesses that are profiting off the holiday. 

    But the spirituality of Christmas, we have to recognize that we are celebrating not just a child placed in a manger but we are celebrating Advent, the season that works its way up to the meaning of Christmas. So, maybe we are starting off early since Thanksgiving isn’t for a few more weeks, but let us understand that Thanksgiving is not so much a religious holiday. There is no biblical foundation for celebrating Thanksgiving Day. The Bible tells us to be thankful to God (Psalm 100), but for Christians, this is a reminder to be thankful, express gratitude, to be glad that we have a God who is willing to do so much for us. 

    The “I Will” Statement reveals more than just a promise that God made to Ancient Israel. God promised that He would give them a shepherd. Jesus came into the world as the Good Shepherd. He came to seek and to save the lost, and he’s still doing it. Let’s prepare our hearts for thanksgiving, giving thanks to God for all that He has done for us. And, as we prepare for Thanksgiving and the holiday rush, let us begin our spiritual preparation, rejoicing because the wonderful season of Advent will begin and Christmas is filled with such a wonder, that we do not want to miss any of it. 

    Adapted from “I Will…” by Rev. Dennis Alan RobertsFulbright, M.Div (November 21, 1999 – Paradise, CA)   

  • A Lifestyle of Thanksgiving | Deuteronomy 26:1–11 Sermon on Gratitude and Giving

    November 9, 2025 
    Deuteronomy 26:1-11 1 "When you arrive in the land of the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession and you have conquered it and settled there, 2 put some of the first produce from each harvest into a basket and bring it to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored. 3 Go to the priest in charge at that time and say to him, 'with this gift I acknowledge that the LORD your GOd has brought me into the land he swore to give our ancestors.' 4 The priest will then take the basket from your hand and set it before the altar of the LORD your God. 5 You must then say in the presence of the LORD your God, 'my ancestor Jacob was a wandering Aramean who went to live in Egypt. His family was few in number, but in Egypt they became a mighty and numerous nation. 6 When the Egyptians mistreated and humiliated us by making us their slaves, 7 we cried out to the LORD, the GOd of our ancestors. He heard us and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression. 8 So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with amazing power, overwhelming terror, and miraculous signs and wonders. 9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey! 10 And now, our LORD, I have brought you a token of the first crops you have given me from the ground.' Then place the produce before the LORD your God and worship him. 11 Afterward go and celebrate because of all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household. Remember to include the Levites and the foreigners living among you in the celebration. 

    This passage from Deuteronomy describes the Israelites’ entry into the Promised Land as they took possession of the land they were permitted to farm. Once the crops were harvested, the Israelites were required to take some of the “first produce” (NLT) or “firstfruits” (NIV) and present it to the Lord in a worshipful ceremony. This ceremony consisted of a public acknowledgment, made to God, for all He had done for them. This wasn’t meant to be a small ‘thank you” for how does one offer a simple “thank you” to God who had provided so much. 

    This event has been repeated again and again, as men and women have entered new countries. As one has a consciousness of a higher power in existence, one realizes that God has done so much for humanity through many generations. And, for the most part, it is a tradition to say “thanks” to God for what he has done. 

    But, how does one express thankfulness? 

    In today’s fast-paced society, we fail miserably at saying “thank you” to people who deserve to be thanked. For some of us, we genuinely are thankful and know we need to express our gratitude, but time gets away from us, and before we know it, we believe too much time has passed, and our expression of thanks is too late. 

    Many of us have experienced this from both sides. We might have received something and failed to show gratitude for it. Or, we may have done something for someone or given them something, only to sit back and wait for those two simple words that will never come. We know that as each day passes, the hurt gouges deeper, and we realize that our awaited “thank you” has fallen into the sea of forgetfulness. Unfortunately for many, these feelings turn into bitterness as we promise to never do anything for that person again or never do or give again. 

    In our American culture, we have a designated holiday, Thanksgiving, for which we express our gratitude. Yet, even with one day set aside, we still manage to get caught up in the commercialized fog between Halloween and Christmas with the voice of Halloween hollering, “Give me treats!” and the voice of Christmas yelling, “Give me presents!” It’s easier to ignore the quiet voice of Thanksgiving as it reminds us to “give thanks.” Especially since big corporations can’t easily capitalize on and commercialize it. 

    What does it take to be thankful? 

    For Israel, it certainly could not be captured in one moment. There were no big screens blasting a casual “thank you God” commercial. No, for the Israelites, it was more about the lifestyle of thanksgiving. It was a tradition of giving thanks to God. It was part of their every day acts of faith that they would do over and over, say again and again, and out of this rich tradition, they would compose their words of thanks: 

    Psalm 107:1-9 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! 
    His faithful love endures forever. 
    2 Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! 
    Tell others he has saved you from your enemies. 
    3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, 
    from east and west, from north and south. 
    4 Some wandered in the desert, 
    lost and homeless. 
    5 Hungry and thirsty, 
    they nearly died. 
    6 "LORD, help! they cried in their trouble,
    and he rescued them from their distress. 
    7 He led them straight to safety, 
    to a city where they could live. 
    8 Let them praise the LORD for his great love
    and for all his wonderful deeds to them. 
    9 For he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things. 

    What should be our praxis? (Praxis = Established Custom)

    The gospel of John describes Jesus as very blunt. At one point, Jesus turned to the crowd and directly said, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” (John 6:26, NIV). The basic principle here is this…If you want good church attendance, offer a meal afterward. If you want to attract young people, have a pizza party!

    All jokes aside, Jesus most certainly pointed out that He had a following of people who liked to eat. Furthermore, it may have been customary for great prophets to feed their people. Remember, when God fed Moses’ people in the wilderness (Exodus 16)? 

    But, Jesus pointed out (regarding Moses), “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32-33, NIV). 

    Again, we are reminded to thank God. 

    We turn back to the concept of Thanksgiving with this question: Do we only celebrate Thanksgiving because of the food? Not necessarily!

    Thanksgiving is THANKS
    followed by GIVING. 

    It really has little to do with a day for gluttony and more to do with a way of life. We receive from God, we give back to God. We receive again, we give again. We are thankful, and therefore we express our thankfulness by giving to others who are less fortunate or who are in need. Thanksgiving; thanks followed by giving is a wonderful opportunity. One can look up to heaven, offering up a heartfelt expression of thanks to God. We can realize and recognize God as the ultimate provider. We can give because we are blessed, and therefore, we are truly thankful. In this state of thankfulness, one truly receives the fullness of God’s blessings. Let us give thanks to God, continually! 

    Amen! 

  • Be Thankful, Be Present, Be His: The Call of Psalm 100

    November 2, 2025

    We have reached the month of November—the month of no shaving, no spending, and NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). We are also reaching the start of the holidays, and this year will be the hardest yet. To make this holiday somewhat bearable, I wanted to search through Dr. DARFs sermons, which focus on gratitude, just in time for the Thanksgiving season. 

    Chris Tomlin – Psalm 100 (Lyrics & Chords)

    So, we turn to Psalm 100 (NKJV): A Song of Praise for the LORD’s Faithfulness to His People:

    A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
    1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, 
    all you lands!
    2 Serve the Lord with gladness; 
    Come before his presence
    with singing.
    3 Know that the Lord, He is God; 
    It is He who has made us, and not we
    ourselves, We are His people
    and the sheep of His pasture. 
    4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving.
    And into His courts with praise. 
    Be thankful to Him, and 
    bless His name. 
    5 For the Lord is good; 
    His mercy is everlasting, And His truth
    endures to all generations.

    Within the context of this Psalm is a principle, “or a key to a successful spiritual life…” and that “entering into God’s presence by means of dynamic praise, which includes singing, gladness, thanksgiving, and worship,” (Hayford 1997). Entering into God’s presence is important and needs to be emphasized. 

    How often do you walk through the doors of the church and think, I mean, intentionally think, about entering into God’s presence? And, when you get up to leave and go through those same church doors, what will be your testimony? Will it be: I entered into God’s presence today! Or, do you find yourself sometimes saying…” Well, I went to church this morning.” 

    Many don’t seem to think it’s all that important to attend church. If they did, our church pews would be fuller. A common excuse is “we just don’t get a whole lot out of it.” But what we are expecting is not what we should be expecting. 

    What are we expecting? 

    Here’s a general idea of what most expect – church is: 

    • A meeting hall for do-gooders
    • An institution that hosts multiple programs to meet the needs of everyone, while at the same time operating on little to no money
    • A home for a type of blood-sucking creature that rises up out of the dark abyss
    • A peaceful, decorative place for performing weddings and funerals
    • A life insurance company, after all, if you’re a member of a church, your life will be guaranteed to live in the hereafter

    To many, the church is a social organization. We gather here to socialize. We show up early to join our friends for coffee. But we rarely socialize with God.

    Returning to Psalm 100, James Smith (1996) points out that this is the only Psalm designated as a “psalm of thanksgiving.” This is not to be confused with the American tradition, Thanksgiving, but as an ancient practice of gratitude. We can assume this was once sung to an ancient community in Israel, and it is likely that people were very excited in their worship, much like charismatic people are today, not like liturgical mainline church attenders. 

    The Psalmist was called out to the people to come into the presence of the Lord. “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness.” 

    He may have asked them, “are you happy about being here today?”

    Then, he says “come before him with joyful songs. Known that the LORD is God! There certainly is no other God, it is he-the One God, who made us and we are his; we are the people, the sheep of his pasture.”

    We “enter his gates with thanksgiving,” which refers to the literal gates that ancient worshippers passed through when entering the temple courts. So, using a modern application – how did you enter the sanctuary this morning? Did you have praise on your lips? Were you thankful in your heart? 

    Maybe we have taken the church for granted for too long, assuming the church is always going to be here. Of course, the church will endure, but it may not always be readily available. In the same way, The Hebrews, or Jews have assumed their Temple would always be; guess again. They would now like to rebuild their temple, but there rests a pagan temple on top of their site.

    The point…we need to be thankful and we need to be thankful we have a God. This brings the traditional theme of this month: Thanksgiving. We associate this month with Thanksgiving, and every year, we celebrate it religiously with great food, lots of desserts, family and friends, football, and possibly some random politics thrown in. And, then grandma comes up with a great idea: let’s go around the room and everyone express something for which you have to be thankful.” And, you knew it was coming because it came up last year, so you’ve rehearsed your line, and even though you’ve rehearsed your forehead still beads up with sweat, and you stutter out…”I’m thankful for this BIG turkey!”

    While this may be a meaningful ritual to some, it doesn’t always capture the application that we are trying to arrive at in our spiritual worship. It doesn’t begin to address the idea that we live in a world with a multitude of problems – horror, pain, suffering, tragedy, poverty, evil, despair, depression, death, grieving, crying, aching, trauma….the list goes on and on. But, in the midst of all of this, There. Is. God! 

    He is with us and will always be with us. He is a wonderful God, and we should be thankful we have Him. He is worthy to be worshiped. He is worthy to be praised. We should be inspired to “enter into His gates with thanksgiving” so we can “give thanks to him and praise his name!”

    Amen.

    Sermon adapted from “Be Thankful You Have a God!” by Dennis Alan Fulbright, M.Div., November 24, 1996 (LaJunta, Colorado)

    References

    Hayford, Jack W., ed. 1997. Spirit Filled Life Study Bible. electronic ed. ed. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. Logos.

    The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. Logos.

    Smith, James E. 1996. The Wisdom Literature and Psalms. Joplin, MO: College Press.

  • Beth’s Reflections: A Father’s Day of Gratitude and Grief

    June 14, 2025

    “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

    Father’s Day is a time of celebration. It’s a moment to pause and honor the fathers and father figures who have shaped our lives with strength, love, and wisdom. For many, it’s a joyful day marked with laughter, memories, and great BBQ food. But for others, Father’s Day comes with a quiet ache—a reminder of someone deeply loved and dearly missed.

    This year, I find myself sitting in both places—grateful and grieving.

    With one hand, I hold so much joy and gratitude for my husband. His patience, gentleness, and playfulness with our two girls fills my heart with peace, warmth, and laughter. I’ve seen how his quiet strength is the glue that holds us together—he keeps us girls grounded (though let’s be honest, a prayer for him every now and then wouldn’t hurt). Watching him love and guide our daughters reminds me daily of the sacred role of fatherhood.

    My husband is a living example of what Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:4:

    “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

    He doesn’t just tell our girls to be kind—he lives it. He teaches them through presence, patience, and prayer. He’s always willing to sit beside them, to comfort them when there are tears, and even to get up and join them during children’s sermons—when most parents, myself included, are content cheering from the pew. His quiet commitment teaches them more about God’s love than a hundred lectures ever could.

    My own father was this kind of teacher, too. He never sugarcoated the truth, especially when it came from Scripture. Even when the Bible was hard to hear, he stood on it—not to wound, but to shape us in truth and love. We affectionately called him “Grumpy,” not because he didn’t love us, but because he wore his love in a quiet, sometimes rough-around-the-edges way. His affection came through his music, his cheesy dad jokes, and the steady, grounding gift of his presence. I miss him deeply—especially on days like today—but I carry his wisdom and faith in my heart always.

    He was my mentor in faith, a quirky personality, and an inspirational musician. One of his quirks—one I now appreciate more than ever—was his habit of “hoarding” knowledge. Our family inherited boxes of books, movies, and files upon files of his sermons, reflections, and words of wisdom. It’s a true treasure trove. I’m grateful for this obsession, because I now have the privilege of sorting through folder after folder—some dating all the way back to the 1980s.

    In 2020, as his health began to decline, we started a podcast together. It gave us something meaningful to focus on during the pandemic, while also strengthening our relationship. I was driven by the thought (and fear) that one day he would no longer be here. I didn’t want to lose his laugh, his smile, his cheesy jokes, or his signature gruffness. During that time, I went through four job changes and had two babies. Through it all, he was patient with my busy life as we transitioned from podcast/audio sessions to outlining two books: Finding God Through Genesis (which you’re reading chapters from now on this blog) and The Book of The Revelation.

    It’s bittersweet knowing he completed his final Genesis sermon at the end of 2024—just before he passed. We were so close to finishing the last pieces of the book. Still, the memories, the laughter, the pride we poured into those projects—those can’t be replicated or replaced. I thank God every day for the nudge in 2020 to start something meaningful with my dad.

    Like many of you, I know what it means to miss someone on a day like today. We feel the empty chair at the table. We notice the voice that’s no longer offering a prayer before the meal. We ache in the silence where laughter used to echo. These moments remind us of how deep love runs—and how profoundly loss lingers.

    Yet in this tender balance of joy and sorrow, I’m reminded of a greater truth: Father’s Day isn’t only about the fathers we’ve had, or the ones we celebrate today—it’s about the Father who has always been with us.

    Our Heavenly Father.

    He is the one who holds us when the grief is too much to bear. He is the one who rejoices with us in our happiest moments and carries us through the hardest ones. Scripture tells us again and again that God is not distant. He is “a father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5). Compassionate. Present. Loving.

    Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven,” not as a formality—but as a relationship. In a world of imperfect fathers, God is perfectly present, perfectly loving, and perfectly faithful.

    So today, let us celebrate the fathers in our lives—with gratitude and grace. Let us honor the ones who have gone before us, remembering their love with thankful hearts. Let us cherish the ones who are still with us, acknowledging their strength and sacrifice. And let us look to the One who never leaves, never changes, and never fails.

    To my husband: thank you for being a father who leads with humility and love.
    To my dad: thank you for the legacy of faith you passed on to me.
    To my Heavenly Father: thank You for being my constant source of comfort, wisdom, and love.

    If this Father’s Day finds you grieving, know that you are not alone. The God who formed you, loves you. He sees your tears, knows your heart, and walks beside you. If this day finds you celebrating, let your joy be a song of praise to the One who gave us the beautiful gift of family—and the sacred calling of fatherhood.

    Happy Father’s Day—on earth and in heaven.

  • When Mothers Know Best: A Mother’s Day Reflection on John 2:1–12

    May 11, 2025

    Weddings are joyful occasions—filled with celebration, laughter, and love. They bring families and communities together to mark a new beginning. For many mothers, a wedding is also a moment of pride, reflection, and deep emotional investment. On this Mother’s Day, we turn to the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle. It’s a story not only about divine power but also about the quiet influence of a mother who knew her son better than anyone else. William Hull (1970) said: 

    “A wedding feast was one of the most important and joyous occasions in the life of a Jewish family.  Since marriages were usually arranged well in advance, the tiny village of Cana in Galilee may have eagerly anticipated this celebration for a long while” (The Broadman Bible Commentary, Volume 9, p. 23). 

    As we turn to John 2:1-12, we find Jesus, His disciples, and His mother attending a wedding in Cana of Galilee. 

    2 On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and 2 Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother told Him, “They don’t have any wine.” John 2:1–12 (HCSB)

    This wasn’t just a casual event—it was a major social celebration in a Jewish village. Traditionally, wedding feasts could last as long as seven days, with much food, dancing, and of course, wine. The text begins with a problem: the wine runs out. In our modern context, this might seem like a minor inconvenience. But during this time, it was common for wedding festivities to last seven days so running out of wine could be a sign of poor planning; a serious embarrassment for the host family that could tarnish their reputation.  It is here that Mary, the mother of Jesus, steps in.

    "The Marriage Feast at Cana" by Bartolomé Estebán Murillo, 1672
    Source: “The Marriage Feast at Cana” by Bartolomé Estebán Murillo, 1672

    Since there were seven days set aside to pull off this wedding, we can certainly wonder about the complexities of details. In my time as a pastor and having been involved in wedding services, I have noted how strict certain people are about wedding details. It seemed that back in the day, ministers could just pull out a service book from their library and proceed with a brief marriage ceremony. However, today, ministers are expected to offer much more: 

    “Do you want a formal wedding?
    a semi-formal wedding, 
    a contemporary service, 
    a traditional service, 
    a simple wedding, 
    or something else?”  

    “Will there be organ music, 
    live music, 
    recorded music, 
    special music done by a group or vocalist,
    will you see singing as you walk down the aisle,
     or something else?”  

    “Do you want this wedding inside the church, 
    outside the church, 
    inside a community hall, 
    inside a home, 
    outdoors
    or should we have it in the parking lot?”

    Wedding events have expanded so much that some churches even have a wedding coordinator available; if not, the family often hires their own. What I’ve discovered is there’s often a family member – usually someone’s aunt – who feels they are qualified for the job and take it upon themselves to be the wedding coordinator. They tell everyone where to stand, dictate the proper etiquette, insist on selecting the flower girls for the service, and manage the gift table. Maybe it’s not an aunt, maybe it’s a cousin, a sister, a mother? You get the picture. 

    With this in mind, we wonder about Mary. What was her role in this story? Since there isn’t a mention of Joseph, Jesus’ father, we could assume this event is after he passed away. This could also mean that Mary is related to the groom’s family, making the connection that Mary’s sister, Salome the mother of John (not John the Baptist) was a cousin of Jesus. However, this is just a theory and whether or not Mary and Jesus were attending the wedding of relatives or just happened to be at the event does not make a difference to the outcome of the story. Instead, this story and its dialogue are about the relationship between a mother and her son. 

    We know this wedding is an important event for Mary to attend. We imagine, as at any wedding, that many of the mothers are gathered around amazed at the festivities and eager to celebrate. Then, a sour note lands on the party when they realize, there is no more wine. And, the intriguing moment when Mary runs to Jesus with the problem at hand. Why would Mary run to Jesus? 

    To which Jesus replies, John 2: 4-8: 

    4 “What has this concern of yours to do with Me, woman?” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.” 
    5 “Do whatever He tells you,” His mother told the servants. 
    6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained 20 or 30 gallons. 
    7 “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the chief servant.” And they did. 

    At first, we might read Jesus’ response to be harsh. “Woman, what has this concern of yours to do with me?” But in the cultural and linguistic context of the time, this wasn’t disrespectful. “Woman” was a formal, polite address. And His question was a way of signaling that He was stepping into His divine mission – not simply acting as her son, but as the Son of God. 

    Mary does not argue. Instead, she turns to the servants and instructs them to do whatever he tells them to do. In this moment, she is demonstrating faith. She trusts Jesus completely and because of her great faith, Jesus elects to meet the need at hand. This story teaches us that whenever faith is acted upon, miracles do appear. Jesus responds—not out of obligation, but from compassion and divine purpose. He tells the servants to fill six large stone jars with water. These jars, used for Jewish purification rituals, hold 20 to 30 gallons each. Once filled, Jesus instructs them to draw some out and take it to the chief servant. In John 2: 9-12, 

    9 When the chief servant tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom 10 and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people have drunk freely, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.” 
    11 Jesus performed this first sign in Cana of Galilee. He displayed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. 
    12 After this, He went down to Capernaum, together with His mother, His brothers, and His disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.

    The water has turned into wine. Not just any wine—the best wine. The chief servant, unaware of what has happened, is amazed. He says to the groom, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first… but you have kept the fine wine until now” (v. 10).

    Many people in our world today do not believe in miracles. This text is an example of Jesus’ first recorded miracle – a sign that revealed His glory and caused His disciples to believe in Him. It began not with a grand declaration or a supernatural sign, but with a quiet moment between a mother and her son. 

    Mary didn’t perform the miracle—but her faith created the space for it to happen. Her trust in Jesus set the stage for His glory to be revealed. She didn’t demand; she simply believed. On a simple occasion of attending a wedding, Mary saw an opportunity for Jesus to bring joy to people’s lives. The joy was not found merely in the drink that was provided, but instead was the joy of the discovery as people realized the Messiah had come. 

    Sometimes, mothers have a way of seeing what others don’t. They notice what’s missing. They know when to speak, and when to trust. And in Mary, we see a mother who understood the weight of who her son was—even when His full mission was not yet clear.

    Later in John’s Gospel, we see Mary again—at the foot of the cross. Even in His final moments, Jesus makes sure His mother will be cared for, saying to the beloved disciple, “Here is your mother” (John 19:27). His concern for her never faded.

    On this Mother’s Day, we honor the mothers who have brought us into the world, nurtured us in love, and pointed us—sometimes gently, sometimes firmly—toward Jesus. We remember the quiet strength of Mary, whose faith opened the door to Christ’s first miracle. We thank God for mothers who see what others miss, who believe even when others doubt, and who teach us to listen to the voice of Jesus.

    And at the very least, we say: God bless our mothers—for through them, many of us have come to know Jesus Christ.

    ~Rev. Dennis A. Fulbright

    Preached: “The Mothers of Cana” | 2014, Hiawatha First Christian Church (DOC) & 2003, Paradise First Christian Church (DOC) , Revised 5/6/2025 by BRO, BA, Div.