Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | The Bible's story begins in darkness and it ends in the full light of God's presence. Life and peace and shalom replace dark chaos. This same story plays out on Easter. The women go to the tomb in darkness, but they encounter the light of salvation. The promise of Christ is that those who walk in darkness will see light; they will have hope; they will have joy.

Daniel 3:1, 3-6, 8-18 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | Israel was exiled in Babylon as judgment for their sin. Yet, God relented from his wrath and resolved to redeem them. But, the people of Israel were up against impossible odds. Their redemption would come because "God is able." Israel had come to feel like victims; God was able to bring them victory. Their victory would come through renewed faithfulness to God who had saved them from Egypt and would now save them from exile. No matter how fierce our foe or how deep our despair, God is able to save.

1 Samuel 8:4-22 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | Early in Israel's time in the Promised Land the Scriptures suggest that they understood that God was the source of their prosperity and strength. The judges, imbued with God's Spirit, ruled the people with equity and righteousness. But, as they became settled in the Promised Land the people grew delusional and forgot the God who was the source of their strength. They rejected their heavenly King in favor of an earthly king. In this, they rejected God's providence and chose self-sufficiency, and thus they began the journey to apostasy. Our lives often parallel this journey. When things are well, we forget why they are well. We become delusional. We neglect, then reject God. The higher we elevate ourselves, the greater will be our fall.

Genesis 22:1-19 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | There is much about our life journey that is uncertain. But, the story of the Scriptures reveals that when we trust in God and rely on God, that our journey will be to a fuller life. In the of the Bible God grants life, but human beings choose death. The rest of the Bible tells the story of an eternal God working within the created order to redeem it from its sentence of death.

1 Samuel 8:4-22 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | Early in Israel's time in the Promised Land the Scriptures suggest that they understood that God was the source of their prosperity and strength. The judges, imbued with God's Spirit, ruled the people with equity and righteousness. But, as they became settled in the Promised Land the people grew delusional and forgot the God who was the source of their strength. They rejected their heavenly King in favor of an earthly king. In this, they rejected God's providence and chose self-sufficiency, and thus they began the journey to apostasy. Our lives often parallel this journey. When things are well, we forget why they are well. We become delusional. We neglect, then reject God. The higher we elevate ourselves, the greater will be our fall.

Genesis 22:1-19 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | There is much about our life journey that is uncertain. But, the story of the Scriptures reveals that when we trust in God and rely on God, that our journey will be to a fuller life. In the of the Bible God grants life, but human beings choose death. The rest of the Bible tells the story of an eternal God working within the created order to redeem it from its sentence of death.

Ruth 4:13-17 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | Families attest to the necessity of others. None of us create ourselves, none of us raise ourselves, and none of us can thrive by ourselves. For Boaz and Ruth, their strong commitments will mean not only joy and peace for them, but also will spill over as a blessing to many. Our families are for more than ourselves; they are God's way of fulfilling God's own mission of redemption.

Ruth 4:13-17 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | Families attest to the necessity of others. None of us create ourselves, none of us raise ourselves, and none of us can thrive by ourselves. For Boaz and Ruth, their strong commitments will mean not only joy and peace for them, but also will spill over as a blessing to many. Our families are for more than ourselves; they are God's way of fulfilling God's own mission of redemption.

Ruth 3:1-11 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | Ruth strengthens her family (and her chances with Boaz) by keeping her priorities in line. This is an important lesson for those looking for love and those looking to sustain love. What we get in life comes from how we invest our time and efforts.

Ruth 3:1-11 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | Ruth strengthens her family (and her chances with Boaz) by keeping her priorities in line. This is an important lesson for those looking for love and those looking to sustain love. What we get in life comes from how we invest our time and efforts.