"Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. " Isaiah 41:10 (NRSV) James Baumberger, from Connecticut, spent his first summer ministry as an intern accompanying the youth pastor on a number of wilderness ventures in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Each adventure ended with a rock-climbing activity. James is not found of heights but agreed to take part, thinking, "How tall could a cliff be in New England?" But at the bottom of a 300-foot cliff, his fear kicked in. Their expert guide was secured at the top of the cliff and waited for his assistant to tie James into the harnes

Read the Story of The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 "But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity.'" Luke 10:33 (NRSV) "Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, " Go and do likewise." Like 10: 36-37 (NRSV) A good friend of Tracy Krauss, from British Columbia, Canada, was mugged one evening after getting off a city bus. Unfortunately, at first no one came to his aid. Then two young men arrived on the scene. They chased the mugger away, called 911, and then sat with Tracy's friend until the ambulance arrived. As they waited, t

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7 (NRSV) At barely 16, Preston Burke, from Texas, was the youngest lineman on the varsity football team. His performance in summer practices had landed him the position of the starting right guard, replacing a graduate who was at one time the Offensive Lineman of the Year. Under the weight of everyone's expectations, Prest

I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, tough the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Psalm 46: 1-3 (NRSV) If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery. Psalm 119:92 (NRSV) Trish Krider lives here in Florida, and for the first time in all the years that she had lived here, a hurricane threatened their home. She had seen the destruction that is created in the wake of a devastating storm, but never before had it been so personal. As they anxiously watched the reports of the pummeling of islands in its

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18: 1-5 (NRSV) The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the little children in the Temple shouting, :Praise God for the Son of David." But they were indignant and asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" "Yes," Jesus re

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand,'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in p

Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Babylon: Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that t

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people, but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5: 15-17 (NRSV) So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Psalm 90:12 (NRSV) In William Avery Pike, Jr's youth, summer seemed to last forever. Then as he pushed past 65, that was not the case anymore. He was particularly aware of the way time passed each time he rode a stationary bike at his local gym. A monitor on the bike gave him all kinds of information, but he was focused on two categories: time elapsed and time remaining. Today's reading from Ephesians reminds us to live

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. Psalm 34: 1-8 (NRSV) Bless be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the G