Revelation 7: 9-17 As I write this message, I am on my last day attending the General Board of Global Ministries’ Board of Directors meeting. Welcome is the word that […]
Stories
Time with Ismael: Faith
“When we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that really belongs to us. So it is how we use our lives that determines […]
Time with Ismael: “A Love Song for Jesus”
Luke 1:46b-551:46b “My soul magnifies the Lord, 1:47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 1:48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, […]
Time with Ismael: Grace-Filled Lent
“…but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power[a] is made perfect in weakness.’ So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that […]
Time with Ismael: Learning the Likeness
Then God said, “Let us make humans[c] in our image, according to our likeness… (Genesis 1:27) February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of our Black brothers […]
Time with Ismael: Graceful Hospitality
In the last two weeks, the Gospel lessons for the lectionary offered Matthew’s account of Jesus calling fishermen to become his first disciples and the Sermon on the Mount. What […]
Time with Ismael: Unconventional Christmas
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of […]
Time with Ismael: “Your Generosity will Continue Inspiring Us”
“Your generosity will continue inspiring us…” That phrase I used last week as I offered a homily at my aunt Amparo Ruiz Cerda’s funeral. She was a generous soul who […]
Time with Ismael: I Choose…
After a long break from writing a message, I start with a lament for some of the tragic events last weekend. I lament the incident in Raleigh Christmas Parade where […]