For the second week in a row we're looking at two statements of Jesus' from John 10. By consider that he is "The Gate" as well as, "The Good Shepherd" we'll learn about the emotional life of God, the relational life of God, and the missional life of God.

With today's passage we see Jesus call himself both "the Gate" and the "Good Shepherd". While very different each tell us something about the mission of God, as well as, the nature of God.

More and more, modern folk see themselves as spiritual but not religous! But while belief in God in may have waned, what hasn’t is the Christian-inspired idea that everything will be ultimately end well. What does Christianity say about human progress?

Many of us have a hard time defining the word, Grace. But we need to be able to put Grace into words so that we can put grace into action. 

Haman was impaled on a pole of his own making and he never saw it coming.  And his death, way up there, would have been a cautionary tale for all who passed by. So, let’s look at him and take caution, and ask ourselves, “How would you like to die?”

To honor someone means to esteem, value, and treat another with great respect. After a restless night has the experience of being honored, and it changes him. Are we made for honor? This passage, and all the bible, indicate the answer is, "Yes!".

This is a passage in which we’re seeing power dynamics at work. Most of the time when we talk about power dynamics we talk about the abuse of power. Today, with Esther and Mordecai we see power used to protect and empower others.

Taking a break from our series on Esther, we're happy to hear from Rev. Peter Rhee, an assistant pastor at Uptown Community Church. Today he'll be talking about where one places there confidence.

If we live as though this world is our home, than we’ll be always confused. If we live as those in exile we’ll be wise, tough, and, tender.

A major theme in the Book of Esther is that the "hidden hand" is at work. Its through stories like Esther, that Saint Augustine say things like, "Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future to God’s providence."  Let's consider this as we look at excerpts from Esther 2.