The strange way of Jesus | Part 2

The strange way of Jesus | Part 2

... Some began to see the one they had called the “King of the Jews” as a disappointment. How could he ask them to forgive Rome? How could he speak of loving enemies when the people were suffering under oppression? A disappointed crowd can easily become a dangerous crowd, especially when religious leaders know how to manipulate emotions...
The strange way of Jesus | Part 1

The strange way of Jesus | Part 1

The crucifixion of Jesus has been studied from many perspectives. Some have spoken about it as a plan established beforehand to deal with the problem of sin. Others have described it as a way to satisfy the wrath of God, as if divine anger could only be appeased by the blood of God's own Son. Between these views there are countless nuances, interpretations, and disagreements.
I Feel Grateful

I Feel Grateful

Please, let me share with you that over the past few days I found myself looking at several posts on social media that slowly filled my heart with gratitude, hope, and even a bit of joy. They were photos of friends of mine. Clergy colleagues and lay leaders from different annual conferences, including the Greater New Jersey, who traveled to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Public Witness for Immigrant Justice organized by the United Methodist Church.
When the new is coming…

When the new is coming…

A shepherd never leaves the sheep behind | Caring for the flock is not optional; it is their livelihood, their duty, and their identity. And yet, Luke does not tell us what happened to the sheep when the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem. Did they leave them behind? If they did, were they neglecting their responsibilities? Or did they bring them along, carrying the weight of their work on their backs as they walked toward the manger?
From grief to healing: Making room for God’s new

From grief to healing: Making room for God’s new

There are many kinds of grief. Sometimes we grieve the absence of those we have loved, but other times the grief happens quietly inside us, in that tender place where our memories, traditions, and expectations live. In the life of a church, this kind of grief also appears when God invites us to let go of what no longer gives life so we can receive the new thing God is preparing.
When People Search for God in Their Phones

When People Search for God in Their Phones

A few weeks ago, The New York Times published an article titled “Finding God in the App Store.” It described how millions of people around the world are turning to chatbots and religious apps to find guidance, comfort, and forgiveness. These tools, trained on sacred texts, have become digital companions for those who seek hope, prayer, or understanding at any hour of the day or night.
It Is Well with My Soul

It Is Well with My Soul

During these days of so much turbulence in the United States and around the world, we have been shaken by the news of lives lost in recent killings. The tragic deaths of people such as Charlie Kirk, Iryna Zarutska, and even months ago, Melissa Hortman, remind us of how fragile life can be
Resting

Resting

From the very beginning, the Bible tells us that after creating the heavens and the earth, God rested on the seventh day. This is a detail we often rush past, but it holds a beautiful truth. Pastor Edgardo Peña, once pointed out that the very last thing God created was the human being, and immediately after came God’s rest. What if this means that the rest of God is not an empty silence or a distance from creation. Rather, God's rest happens with us present. In other words, we are God’s rest.
My Children Don’t Want to Follow Jesus

My Children Don’t Want to Follow Jesus

Not a few cases exist where a son or daughter, at a young age, despite the principles received at home, decides not to embrace the Christian faith or stay under their family values. This can bring great disappointment to parents, who carry on their shoulders a pain that finally leads them to ask themselves, What did we do wrong?
Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual Maturity

We continue our series on spiritual maturity, focusing on how it relates to leadership and service in the church. Interestingly, in our context, maturity is often mistaken for longevity in the church, holding important titles, or having theological knowledge. Some believers, especially those with influence, seek recognition through power or title roles like pastor, prophet, or leader. But this mindset promotes a culture of status rather than service.
Winning arguments, losing relationships

Winning arguments, losing relationships

Sadly, conflicts and divisions within our own church communities have become all too common. Differences in opinion, leadership styles, priorities, or even personality clashes often lead to misunderstandings, gossip, and even verbal harm. These struggles are not new. They echo the tensions we see in the earliest Christian communities, where new believers wrestled with how to follow Jesus in the midst of diverse backgrounds and expectations.
Creativity, Canoas, and Parting Oceans

Creativity, Canoas, and Parting Oceans

One of the things I admire most about God is how creative God is. Remember the story of the Israelites escaping Egypt? Pharaoh’s army was chasing them, and right in front of them was the sea. They didn’t have ships. They didn’t even have a single canoa. Still, God didn’t say, “Sorry, there’s no way forward.” Instead, God opened the sea itself. Yes, the sea! That always makes me smile. God doesn’t need a boat when there’s imagination and power at work.