PEARL STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong.” — 1 John 1:9 (CEB) As today’s verse speaks of confessions, I have two to share. First, higher math has never been my strong suit. Algebra, calculus, statistics — they all felt like foreign languages to me. When I was finishing my B.A. degree, I had to take a business statistics class taught by a gruff former merchant marine who had served in WWII. He w

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” — Genesis 1:27 (NIV) In our Bible study this week, we wrestled with a question that was simple to ask and uncomfortable to answer: “Is there a group of people you find it difficult to welcome fully? What would it take for that to change?” Most of us could name the people we struggle with. Naming what it would take for change — that’s where the real work begins. Gen

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9 (NIV) As a younger man, I couldn’t understand the older generations' resistance to change; as I grew older, though, I began to see my elders' viewpoint. Change means leaving behind all we’re comfortable with to travel the path of the unknown. It can be scary, but necessary. In today’s verse, Israel stood where many

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” — John 10:10 (NRSVUE) There are forces in this world that steal life. Some are loud, like war, injustice, exploitation, systems that grind people down. Others are quiet, like fear, shame, exhaustion, and the quiet ache of not feeling like we are enough. When Jesus talks about “the thief,” He’s naming all the things that keep us from flourishing — the fears, lies, woun