LATINO HERITAGE MONTH: SEPTEMBER 15 – OCTOBER 16 I’ve often shared the fact that my decision to accept the call to become Pastor of ABC in 1972 was strongly influenced by my impression that the leadership seemed to be ready to embrace the goal of becoming a racially integrated congregation, in a community that was […]

As a Container Before corrugated cardboard was invented in the late 19th Century, an actual wooden box was the container used for storing or shipping soap. Most people only feel comfortable if they are safely within the box which is their comfort zone — their nationality group, their culture, their political party, their church belief […]

Regrets about the past can be a persistent cloud in the sky for the sunniest of us. However, others wake up to a sky overcast with gloomy regret-clouds every day. Believers in the Gospel good news enjoy completely clear skies above because they have accepted God’s forgiveness and the past is washed away. Theoretically! Actually, […]

There’s somethin’ happenin’ here; What it is ain’t exactly clear. There’s a man with a gun over there, Tellin’ me I got to beware. (I think it’s time we) Stop, children, what’s that sound? Everybody look! What’s goin’ down? This song was written by Stephen Sills of the folk group Buffalo Springfield on December 5, […]

A preacher may hold up a Bible and proclaim that it is the Word of God. The average person who hears this may picture God writing down the actual words exactly as he wants them to appear and somehow handing the completed book to the leaders of his People. But, of course, that’s not how […]

“God said it; I believe it; that settles it!” People who say this might think they’re showing respect for the Bible, but they’re actually disrespecting it by not making an effort to understand it. Often, they are so focused on taking the Bible literally that they fail to take it seriously. Having a casual relationship […]

Adri Collins was active in the ABC Youth Group during her teens, and she’s kept contact with us ever since. During her years at John Muir High School, she discovered the power of drumming. She internalized the beat, and it became part of who she is. She continued with the John Muir Alumni Drum Corps […]

Jesus gathered his disciples to prepare them for their first outreach mission to the towns of their region. He begins his instructions with some interesting similes from the animal world: “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves“ (Matthew 10:16). He asks […]

The “Circle of Life” is the opening song of the Disney movie The Lion King. To the rhythmic background of a Zulu chant, the lyrics introduce the theme:     From the day we arrive on the planet and, blinking, step into the sun, There’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than […]

Created by Albert Gyorgy, Romanian artist, reflecting on human emptiness. Located on the shoreline of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. (https://wooarts.com/albert-gyorgy-gallery/) This phrase is frequently used by leaders in the 12-Step Recovery Program in helping those who struggle with addiction and feel a sense of emptiness or incompleteness that keeps driving them back to the bottle or the […]