DAILY READING Revelation 3:14-21 REFLECTION Lukewarm Crops & Laodiceans By Todd Marti Even the richest soil produces a disappointing crop if the gardener doesn’t let the sun warm it. The UALC Community Garden learned that the hard way in 2015. The previous year we focused on improving our soil. It was nice and dark, loaded with worms, when we planted our summer crops. It looked like we were on track for a good harvest. Then we made our mistake: we put a thick mulch of wood chips down ...

DAILY READING John 19 REFLECTION What we can learn about responding to evil from Jesus’ passion By Todd Marti The dynamics underlying John 19 are distressingly familiar. Leaders lying to maintain their power. Officials who have the power to set things right lacking the courage to do so. Innocent people being grievously hurt. How are we to respond? Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us to look at how Jesus responded to similar circumstances. Read together, the four gospels give us a lot of information...

DAILY READING John 8:31-32 REFLECTION Staying Connected to Jesus By Todd Marti The last few days’ readings ( John Chapter 7 and most of 8 ) involved a lot of conflict. Jesus was harshly attacked. His followers must have been dismayed and unsure how to respond. Jesus told them to draw near to Him amid that controversy. More specifically, He told them to believe, follow Him, and hold to His teaching. John 7:38 ; 8:12 ; 8:31-23 . We see similar dynamics in today’s world; Jesus and His gospel...