PEARL STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” — 1 Samuel 2:2 (NIV) Hannah’s story is one of the most emotionally layered moments in Scripture. She longed for a child and carried that ache for years. One day in the Temple, she poured out her heart before God and promised that if she were given a son, she would dedicate him fully to the Lord. God heard her prayer. Samuel was born. And when he was weaned—still so little, still

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (NIV) We’ve all been there — those tense stretches when we’re waiting for something to unfold, and we have no idea how it will turn out. Time seems to slow down, and we look for anything to help us get through the waiting. We might pace the floor, scroll through our devices, or sit and stew over what we can’t change. And someti

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” — Psalm 143:10 (NIV) One summer in my early teens, I worked at a horse stable. While the skilled riders took guests on trail rides, I was given the more menial tasks — mucking stalls and brushing horses.  My friend George, though, was a real horse whisperer. He could take a nervous, skittish horse and, with patience and calm and a little sternness, help it become steady and rideable.

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” —1 John 4:15 (NIV) Some days it feels like the world is pulling us in a dozen directions at once—news cycles, family needs, work demands, and the quiet ache of wondering whether we’re doing enough or being enough. In the middle of all that noise, we long for something steady, something true, something that holds us rather than drains us. Today’s verse offers exactly that kind of groundin

“They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:23–26 (NIV) Yesterday, as I sat with a friend over breakfast, we talked about all the things Christian friends usually talk about—what’s going on with each other, family, church, society, and hope. E

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”  — Romans 8:1–2 (NRSVUE) We live in a world that feels like one long evaluation. Every choice, every opinion, every misstep seems to invite scrutiny. It’s easy to feel as though we’re always on trial, always one mistake away from being written off. Into that pressure-filled world, Paul speaks a word that

“I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” —  Philemon 1:6 (NIV)  If you’ve ever been in a relationship with a special someone—life partner or close friend—you know that where you are today isn’t where you began. You may have spotted that person in a crowded room and, for some unexplained reason, they caught your attention. In the first few minutes of conversation, y

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 NIV) There are days when the world feels unsteady — when responsibilities pile up, when worries multiply, when the ground beneath our feet seems to shift. In those moments, we look instinctively for something solid, something trustworthy. Proverbs offers a surprising image: not a place, not a structure, but the name  of the Lord as our strong tower. In Scripture, a name is never

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV) Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians weren’t written to a calm or settled church. They were written to a community under pressure—misunderstood by its neighbors, shaken by confusion, and trying to live faithfully in a complicated world.  That context matters. Paul isn’t just giving them rules for getting along; he’s calling

“Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose.” — 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NRSVUE) While I’m not a crafter myself, my wife Janice is. Over the years, she has sewn flags and quilts, knitted, and crocheted. So, when I read Paul’s phrase “knit together,” I immediately picture the way I’ve seen her draw togeth

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” — Psalm 23:6 (NIV) “Surely.” It’s a small word, but it carries the weight of confidence. In a world where so much shifts beneath our feet, certainty can feel rare. Yet David begins this beloved verse with assurance — not in himself, not in circumstances, but in the unchanging character of God. God’s goodness and love do not wait for us to earn them. They

“The LORD your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17 (CEB) Several years ago, we discovered the joy of taking boat rides across Boston Harbor. Whether it’s a narrated tour or the simple ferry from Hingham to the North End, there’s something thrilling about seeing the city from the water—familiar streets suddenly appearing new from that wider horizon. It’s especially breathta

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21 (NRSVUE) Where do you put the things you hold dearly? If it’s a trophy or an award, it might sit proudly on a mantle. If it’s something valuable you want close at hand, maybe it’s tucked into a fireproof box. Some things end up in a safe‑deposit box at the bank. And more and more of what we value isn’t physical at all — it floats somewhere in the ether of the internet, protected (we hope) by passwords

“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”  — Proverbs 22:4 (NIV) If you’ve read the Bible for a while, you have realized the benefits of reading around the verse. Sometimes it means reading the immediate surrounding verse; at other times it might be a whole chapter (especially in the Epistles). This reading provides additional context and insight into what the author may be trying to tell us. Today’s verse is a good example; it stands beauti

“All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me and because of the good news will save them.” — Mark 8:35 (CEB)  Here’s a moment that may resonate, either we’ve been the person, or have witnessed it: the parent (grandparent) standing in the aisle of a school auditorium, phone held high, trying to record every second of a child’s recital.  The intention is good — preserve the memory, capture the moment. But sometimes, in focusing so

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Instead, set an example for the believers through your speech, behavior, love, faith, and by being sexually pure.” — 1 Timothy 4:12 (CEB) When I was in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. As graduation approached and people asked about my plans, all I could say was, “Go to college,” but beyond that, I was lost. My grandfather, who was pretty business savvy, told me, “Go into computers.” This wa

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 Division seems to be one of the constants of the human condition. Choose almost any topic from A to Z, and people will be firmly planted on opposite sides of the middle ground. We often find ourselves drawn toward conflict, as if disagreement itself offers a strange kind of satisfaction. Yet this pull leads

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” — John 15:4 (NIV) In life, healthy relationships are usually about give‑and‑take. Whether it’s a marriage, a friendship, or a work team, we each offer something and receive something in return. That mutual exchange keeps the relationship alive. So, when Jesus talks about vines and branches, it’s natural to wonder if the same pattern applies. Does the fruit give anything ba

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. —Hebrews 13:15-16 (NIV) From a tender age, we are taught to be kind to others and to share. We may also attend spiritual training, such as Sunday School or CCD, where we learn about God and the importance of giving Him praise. But it may be later in life w

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) When Janice and I go out to dinner with friends, I’ve noticed something about myself. If we’re with our vegetarian friend—who happily eats cheese and shellfish but avoids meat—I won’t order a cheeseburger. I save that for meals with my carnivore friends. Without even thinking about it, I tend to choose something that aligns with the person I’m with. It’s not about pre