In the realm of politics we are fairly adept at asking appropriate questions. “Ask yourself if you are better off now than you were four years ago.” So goes the campaign slogan. The epistle to Titus makes a similar observation which may go unnoticed: Once we were foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to passion, malicious, […]

Focus Relax and clear your head. Listen for the voice of God. What is God saying to you today? Read Luke 14:15-24 (NRSV) One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Then Jesus said to him, “Someone gave a great […]

Focus Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything, but God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word. Read Isaiah 2:12-17 (NRSV) For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and […]

Welcome to the Youth Ministry Minute hosted by Nathan Wheeler. Today I talk about Asia Youth Gathering, Kaleo and a youth event coming up at Cookeville CPC Monday, September 12th. Asia Youth Gathering Application and Info https://cpcmc.org/2017ayg Kaleo Participant and Mentor applications http://memphisseminary.edu/kaleo Calling All People Youth Event Cookeville CPC Monday, Sept 12th “Calling All […]

Focus Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today. Read Psalm 58 (NRSV) Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge people fairly? No, in […]

Focus Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you. Read Luke 14:1, 7-14 (NRSV) On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were […]

Focus As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place. Read Matthew 20:20-28 (NRSV) Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to […]

Focus Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time. Read 1 Peter 4:7-11 (NRSV) The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for […]

Focus Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer. Read Psalm 112 (NRSV) Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD, who greatly delight in his commandments. Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation […]

Someone once observed that knowing the right thing to do is not what is difficult; what is difficult is doing it! So when we read the admonitions to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:10-4:5), “Be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching,” we recognize it is […]