DAILY READING Philippians 4:6-9 REFLECTION Focusing on God Brings Peace By Todd Marti 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything...

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...