DAILY READING John 18:15-40 REFLECTION   Denial By Terry Gustafson It’s early Friday morning. The Passover is about to begin. Jesus has been arrested and brought to the high priests, Annas and Caiaphas. The disciples have scattered. All four Gospels record the events in these verses ( Matthew 26:69 - 27:31 ; Mark 14:66 - 15:20 , Luke 22:54 - 23:25 ). What we see in these verses is a cast of characters who are dealing with various forms of denial with regard to Jesus. Annas and Caiaphas...

DAILY READING Mark 5:21-24 , 35-43 REFLECTION   Just Believe By Terry Gustafson Today’s reading, the story of raising Jairus’ daughter, is also found in the Gospels of Matthew ( 9:18-26 ) and Luke ( 8:40-56 ). The setting of the story is that Jesus has just returned to the west side of the Lake of Galilee, likely near Capernaum. He has a large crowd around Him as He teaches. And then He is interrupted ... Jairus’ Posture . Jairus is identified as “one of the synagogue rulers,” a respected...

DAILY READING Galatians 5:1-15 REFLECTION   True Freedom By Terry Gustafson What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “freedom”? Perhaps you think of fireworks and the 4th of July. Perhaps you think of those who have fought to preserve the rights we have in our constitution. Maybe a symbol like the Statue of Liberty or a bald eagle comes to mind. My own first thoughts are a bit more mundane. I cannot think of freedom without visualizing Mel Gibson’s portrayal...