Daily Devotional

Few people have done more work to grow the church than the Apostle Paul. Paul started at least 20 churches on his journeys. Countless more faith communities were started because missionaries from the churches Paul would also travel and preach. In addition to starting so many churches, Paul was a writer and teacher. He is responsible for writing or inspiring over a quarter of the New Testament. Through Paul’s ministry, the church grew and flourished.

I have never walked into my mom and dad’s home as an adult without being asked to sit down—usually at the dining room or kitchen table—to food. It’s not always fancy—though I can remember many elaborate holiday celebrations with standing rib roasts, homemade bread, multiple complex desserts, and a fully set table. It’s always a welcome place, for sure.

Your average high school building is filled with hundreds of teenagers. These buildings require significant care by custodians who pick up trash, clean rooms, and keep the facilities in good repair. It is a challenging job. Those custodians who serve in these buildings deserve recognition for their hard work that keeps these schools functioning.

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way.

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.

The Apostle Paul started the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey. Philippi was a city in Greece situated on a major road that connected Rome to much of its territory to the east. It was an excellent city for Paul to establish a church where the good news of God could travel freely throughout the empire.

This past Monday, one of the most recognizable actors of our time passed away. At the age of 93, James Earl Jones entered his eternal rest. Few people have had the success James Earl Jones has had in the entertainment industry. He is most well known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise. His career has taken him from the Broadway stage to the silver screen. James Earl Jones is one of only a few people to earn the EGOT distinction. That is to say, he has won an Emmy Award, Grammy Award, Oscar Award, and a Tony Award. His iconic voice has been part of our lives for over 60 years.

In the hit Broadway musical Come from Away, stories are told of the amazing people of Gander, Newfoundland. Through their hospitality and kindness, people from all over the world are welcomed and cared for on the morning of September 11, 2001. This show has become one of my favorite musicals. It is a great musical that highlights and helps bring healing to the powerful emotions we all experienced on that day.

When I was in college, my minor was in political philosophy. I enjoyed reading Machiavelli, Hobbs, Nietzsche, and the early American political thinkers. These great philosophers of the past have helped to shape how we govern ourselves, both here in the United States and around the world. Each time I opened one of these great books of political thought, I wrestled with the collision of what I knew and what I was learning.

Several years ago, I was attending a city council meeting in the small community where I lived. Most of the posted agenda had been accomplished, and it was time for an open microphone for the community.