Rachel Fisher, Children’s Ministries Communications Specialist  Proverbs 30:5-6 (NIV) 5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. Reflection: Have you ever watched a scene playing out before you and thought, “I know EXACTLY what needs to be done?” Perhaps you have a person in your life who just cannot seem to find their footing, yet you know PRECISELY what would remedy their woes. If you just want to throw your hands up [...]

Tiffanie Villasana Proverbs  27:9  Perfume and incense refresh the soul: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by heartfelt advice. Reflection:  My sense of smell is my most favorite sense. Those who know me well know I love a good candle. Same goes for perfumes. I have my tried and true and I rotate them for different seasons. I joke that I might be part human/part bloodhound. For me, a certain smell can elicit certain emotions and bring a sense of comfort or nostalgia almost immediately.  Proverbs tells us that a good friendship, especially one that provides good [...]

Rev. David Horton, Lead Pastor at Gethsemane Genesis 18:1-10 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3He said, ‘My lord, if I find favour with you, do not pass by your servant. 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5Let me bring a [...]

Rev. Michelle Manuel You stand at the threshold A new season has arrived slowly or quickly Or both You’ve resisted it or welcomed it Or both The way forward is unclear uneasiness and unsteadiness Excitement and anticipation Floodgates broken by questions What if? What then? Where to? Who? How? May you remember there’s always Bread A sustaining presence especially if sorrow is near especially when celebration has come May you always see the Bread May the grief not consume you The Lord holding you steady and safe Allow it to come Be it seemingly never-ending Or simply asking to [...]

Shelby Olive, Communications Associate Mark 1:7-12  7 [John the Baptist] proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 [...]

Erin Campbell Naman, Church Member since 2009, Member of Children’s Council, Member of Lay Leadership Council Jonah 1:1-3; 2:2-4; 4:1-4 “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah, the son of Amittai, saying “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me. But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence [...]

Joseph Patty; Associate Director of Student Ministry Joshua 3:5 “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Joshua 4:11-14 On the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. The manna ceased [….] Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries? [...]