These certainly don't sound like blessings to most of us. In what universe are poverty of spirit, meekness, and mourning called blessings? Apparently in Jesus' universe.

What does it mean to love Jesus "more than these"? Who is he referring to as "these" anyway? Does loving Jesus marginalize all the other loves in our lives?

Fear can paralyze us and turn us into people we don't particularly like. Fear will even cause us to lose faith sometimes. What did Jesus have to say about fear?

We use keys primarily to lock and unlock doors. What might it mean for Jesus to give Peter the keys to this new thing God is doing in the world and this new community that God is creating?

Every Sunday in October we will be exploring God's generosity to us and our responses to God. I know, the story of the angel's announcement to Mary that she will have a child belongs in Advent . . . or does it?

We here at West End UMC are called to be the loving light of Christ wherever we go. St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians says that we are to shine like stars.