Paul Teaching at Thessalonica Paul’s Missionary Journeys Devotions on Acts 17:1-9 Monday–Paul’s Missionary Journeys “After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia” (Acts 17:1a). Chelsea was REALLY involved in her congregation. She taught the third grade class of Sunday school students, chaperoned high school outings, chaired the Fiftieth Anniversary Committee, served on […]
Author: Kevin Ruffcorn
Acts 3:1-10, Peter Heals the Lame Man
Peter Heals the Lame Man Acts 3:1-10 Monday–Peter Heals the Lame Man “Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer” (Acts 3:1). Jeremy wasn’t very consistent in his worship attendance. He’d get up and go to a Sunday service if there wasn’t anything better to do or he […]
Acts 1:1-14, Ascension of Jesus
Icon of the Resurrection Ascension of Jesus Devotions on Acts 1:1-14 Monday–Ascension of Jesus “After his suffering he presented himself to them by many convincing proofs” (Acts 1:3a). There is a skeptic in each one of us. Some people don’t believe that God is powerful enough to create the universe with a Big Bang […]
Mark 16:1-8, Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Resurrection of Jesus Christ Mark 16:1-8, Devotions for Holy Week and Easter (Instead of focusing on Easter’s lesson of the day through Holy Week, I have chosen to reflect on what Jesus said and did each day of Holy Week. Many of my thoughts are drawn from Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan’s book, “The […]
Beguiled By Beauty
Beguiled by Beauty: Cultivating a Life of Contemplation and Compassion, Wendy Farley (Westminster John Knox, Louisville, 2020). From the traveling I have done, I have discovered that tour guides are worth their weight in gold. I may have significantly researched an area I planned to visit. When I arrived at my destination, however, I discovered […]
Mark 11:1-11, Jesus Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem
The Crowd Welcomes Jesus Jesus Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem Devotions for Mark 1:1-11 Monday, Jesus Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem “He sent two of his disciples” (Mark 11:1). Grampa and Gramma were coming and certain things needed to be done before their arrival. Extra food had to be purchased and some special treats baked. The guest […]
Mark 13:1-8, 24-37, Signs of the End Times
Signs of the End Times Devotions on Mark 13:1-8, 24-37 Monday–Signs of the End Times “’Look, Teacher, what large stones’” (Mark 13:1) Once a year the community would sponsor an open house. It was a fund-raiser for some worthy causes. For four nights people would purchase tickets that would allow them to tour ten of […]
Mark 12:28-44, Love the Lord with All Your Heart
Love the Lord with All Your Heart Devotions on Mark 12:28-44 Monday–Love the Lord with All Your Heart “’Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.’” (Mark 12:29) Abraham Lincoln is said to have coined the phrase, “You can please some of the people all of the time and all of the […]
Mark 12:1-12, Parable of the Wicked Tenants
Parable of the Wicked Tenants Parable of the Wicked Tenants Devotions for Mark 12:1-12 Monday, Parable of the Wicked Tenants “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it” (Mark 12:1a). After a pleasant afternoon of visiting vineyards and tasting wine, a person begins to realize the care, dedication and hard work that a […]
Designed to Heal
Designed to Heal: What the Body Shows Us About Healing Wounds, Repairing Relationships, and Restoring Community, Jennie A. McLaurin and Cymbeline Tancongco Culiat (Tyndale Momentum, Carol Streams, 2021) Bookshelves are lined with volumes advising readers how to end conflict, heal broken relationships and deal with the inevitable wounds of life. These books usually base their […]