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Scripture: Romans 6:1-11, Sermon by Rev. Sterling W. Severns Reflection Questions 1. The Continuous Nature of Spiritual Growth The sermon emphasized that spiritual growth is not a one-time event but a continuous journey. Baptism represents the ongoing pattern of dying to our false selves and rising with Christ, over and over. Paul calls us into … Continue reading Reflection Guide: Romans 6 and the Pattern of Dying to Self

Romans 5:1-11 (The Message) Reflection Questions 1. Facing Resistance: Reflecting on Our Discomfort The pastor acknowledged his initial resistance to Paul’s teachings, especially the perception of Paul’s arrogance. This resistance is something we often experience when faced with uncomfortable truths that reveal our own vulnerabilities. Paul’s writings, especially in Romans, challenge us to embrace grace over pride, … Continue reading Adult Reflection Guide: Romans 5:1-11

Scripture Reading:  If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil work; if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon. Isaiah 58:10 God has made us what we are, and … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Journey from Christmas

Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Meg Lacy Vega (recorded in 2019) Scripture:  Do not be deceived my dear brothers!  Every good gift and every present comes from heaven; it comes from God….” (James 1:17) Meditation:   For much of my life I have not been very good at accepting gifts.  I guess … Continue reading Advent Devotion: ‘Tis as Blessed to Receive as To Give

Written by Fred & Ginny Karnas Scripture:  When anyone is joined to Christ, he [or she] is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.   (II Corinthians 5:17) Meditation:  In the old terminal of Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport one finds a large, brightly colored mural depicting the legendary phoenix.  Egyptian mythology … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Phoenix Bird

Written by Ginny and Fred Karnas Scripture:  You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak with the life of Christ himself.  So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free men, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Gift of Diversity

Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Rachel Brock (2019) Scripture: … the Lord Jesus himself said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”  (Acts 20:35b) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Widow and the School Crossing Guard

Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Hogan Brock (2019) Scripture:  Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and … Continue reading Advent Devotion: Simple Gifts

Written by Fred & Ginny Karnas Narrated by Sterling Severns Scripture:  For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.  (John 3:16) Meditation:  In their book, The Sacred Romance, Brent Curtis and John Eldredge discuss the various … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Sacred Romance

Written by Fred & Ginny Karnas Narrated by Mamie Ruth (Hitchens) Blanton Seeing Each Other With New Eyes Scripture:  What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to- face.  (I Corinthians 13: 12). For where two or three come together in My name, I am there with … Continue reading Advent Devotion: Seeing Each other With New Eyes

written by Fred & Ginny Karnas narrated by Penny Jenkins What is Peace? Scripture:  Our God is merciful and tender.  He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path … Continue reading Advent Devotion: What is Peace?

written by Fred and Ginny Karnas narrated by Woody Jenkins Scripture:  … I was given a painful physical ailment . . . Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked Him to take it away.  But His answer was “My grace is all you need, for my power is strongest when You … Continue reading Advent Devotion: My Grace is Sufficient

Written by Ginny Karnas Narrated by Cole Severns Scripture:  Peace is what I leave with you; it is My own peace that I give you.  I do not give it as the world does.  Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”  (John 14:27) Meditation:  When we moved to Fredericksburg in 1991 our … Continue reading Advent Devotion: For us…

written by Ginny & Fred Karnas narrated by Anita McCarty Scripture: “A virgin will become pregnant and have a Son, and He will be called Immanuel” (which means, “God is with us”).  (Matthew 1:23).                 For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon … Continue reading Advent Devotional: God is With Us

written by Ginny & Fred Karnas narrated by Fred Karnas Scripture:  He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.  Just as we have shared in Christ’s many sufferings, so also through … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Journey to Wholeness

"Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place…It is not a method of making our God and our way into the criteria for happiness but the opening of an opportunity to others to find their God and their way… hospitality is… a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free; free to sing their own songs, speak their own languages, dance their own dances.. Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adopt the lifestyle of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own." - Henri Nouwen

written by Fred and Ginny Karnas narrated by Judy Fiske Scripture:   Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.  (Matthew 19:13-14) Meditation:  As I pulled my car into the parking lot at the shelter, I saw another car follow … Continue reading Advent Devotion: Sticky Kisses

Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Martin Tiller Scripture:  Remember this!  Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.  (Luke 18:17) Meditation:  Children are an important part of our journey to Christmas.  The excitement of little ones as they restlessly prepare for bed on Christmas Eve … Continue reading Advent Devotion: Wisdom Through the Eyes of a Child

Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Jerusha Tiller The Puppy in the Pocket Scripture:  Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us.  We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in … Continue reading Advent Devotion:

Written by Fred and Ginny Karnas Narrated by Sarala Kennedy The Good Work of the Church Scripture:   And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6) Meditation:  The late Elizabeth O’Connor was a … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Good Work of the Church