Welcome to our congregation! Open Arms presents basic Christian faith. If you are investigating Christianity, or if you are a follower of Christ who prefers contemporary worship, these services are designed especially for you. While we use up-to-date language, music, and drama, our Bible-based message is as eternal as the revelation of God's love through the life of Jesus.

Mark 1:21-22 NCV

On the Sabbath day [Jesus] went to the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught like a person who had authority.

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This meditation follows the format of Daily Bread, a Community of Christ resource that is available for daily meditation. It includes a short message, a short excerpt from the Daily Prayer for Peace, a spiritual discipline, and a statement of a peace covenant.

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit… came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”  —Mark 1:25–27

I have continually struggled with the reaction of my relatives and friends since my two older children were diagnosed with bipolar disorder—a disease still unknown in my small African community.

The stigma associated with the illness presented added challenges for me to discuss freely and openly among friends about my children’s therapy. The fact that two of my children suffer from the same disease raised serious concerns from my relatives.

As I have continued to ponder this, several unanswered questions keep recurring: “Why do people suffer? Why does God allow disease to exist? Why should my children suffer so others might learn lessons?”

Navigating through these questions has blessed me with a deep assurance that as a disciple of Jesus I do not have to understand everything about God or the world. I have discovered that perhaps God’s power is not arbitrarily squandered to prevent earthquakes or overrule human freedom.

I have come to realize that perhaps God’s power is the power to love and be loved, to call people in all circumstances to work for good. Perhaps, I have concluded, God needs us to help build God’s kingdom.

My attitude has changed.

I am more positive about life. My two children continue healing through the support of modern medicine, our family, and the community around them. It is Christ’s love and mission that has helped me to understand God is loving and caring.

When we know the way of Christ, we will always be amazed and astounded by his healing and compassionate ministry.

Prayer for Peace

Amazing and astounding God, healing and compassionate God, help us have the faith to accept your participation in the world, to respond to your love with love.

Spiritual Practice: Reading and Writing Psalms

Each day this week read Psalm 139:13–18. After each reading sit quietly and let the deep meaning of the words sink into your mind, heart, and body. What thoughts and feelings do you have about being “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)?

Sense the intimate knowledge God has of you. Ask God for an awareness of the sacred worth of each person on the planet. Weep with God over the soul-wounding forces and events that rob people of dignity and worth. How are you invited to notice, protect, heal, and affirm the spiritual identity of all God’s beloved people today?

Peace Covenant

Today, God, I will set aside my stressful and hounding questions and let your peace flow through me.