Discouragement

“So, we rebuilt the wall, and all the wall was joined together to half its height; for the people had a mind to work. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going...

Criticism

“Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he mocked the Jews. He said in the presence of his associates and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things? Will they...

The Jesus Prayer

“When he [Bartimaeus] heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47). In one of my past e-mail blasts, I mentioned praying the “Jesus Prayer” during my...

Prayer is a Marathon

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I just finished my 3rd half-marathon, and I was pleased with my finish and time. I am slowly learning...

Lifelong Learning

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). One of the guiding principles that we pursue as a staff in the Northwestern Ohio Synod is the principle of lifelong learning. As a learning community devoted to...