Isaiah 9:1-4 9 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied exultation; you have increased its joy; they rejoic

I spent Friday in Minneapolis. I prayed at the site of Renee Good’s murder. I prayed at the George Floyd Memorial. I marched with 40,000 plus people in -10-degree weather (-22 with windchill). I spent the morning with a good friend who is a Disciples of Christ pastor and one of the active faith community organizers.   But let me start with Thursday. I arrived in Minneapolis Thursday evening. I intentionally stayed in Eden Prairie (outer ring suburb). Even there, the effects o

John 1:29-42   The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  30  This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’  31  I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”  32  And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.  33  I myself did no

Matthew 3:13-17  Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.  14  John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  15  But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.  16  And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a

Matthew 2:1-12   2  In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem,  2  asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.”  3  When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him,  4  and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.  5