Why the Tent Matters
If you’re reading our 2026 bible reading plan right now, you know that we are currently in a bit of a tough section. In this plan, we’re not reading every chapter – but rather, selected chapters that get at important themes for understanding the bible as a whole, and more particularly, Jesus. So you might be wondering, if that’s the focus, Why Leviticus, why?!? If you’ve ever tried to read the bible all the way though, starting with Genesis, it’s usually around Leviticus that
An Opportunity for Faith
On Sunday, we explored a parable of Jesus about our “need to pray always and not to lose heart” (Luke 18:1). On the theme of prayer, enjoy this guest reflection by recently-moved and much missed member, Shawn Blythe. As always, Shawn’s insights are, well, highly insightful! I worry – a lot. I worry about things that I feel that I shouldn’t worry about. Then I worry about the fact that I worry about things that I feel I shouldn’t worry about. At the
The God of the Exodus
A blog by Rebecca DeLucia. I (Rebecca) have vivid memories of being ten years old and going with my Sunday School class to see The Prince of Egypt. I remember the candy, the smell of the movie theatre popcorn, one of the best soundtrack scores ever and the epic ice cream sundae bar my teacher had set up for us back at her house. But mostly, I remember gathering around her dining room table, eating mountains of ice cream and listening to her
Jesus Said Love
In our “Burning Hearts” 2026 bible reading plan, right now, we’re in the middle of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – and it perfectly lines up with what Rebecca spoke about on Sunday, and, well, with the center of Jesus’ message to us: Love. On Sunday, Rebecca talked about the “greatest commandment”, per Jesus, to “love God” with all you’ve got (heart, soul, and mind), and the second that is 'like it', to “love your neighbor as yourself”. That just about sums it up
Why Judah?
In our “Burning Hearts” 2026 bible reading plan, right now, we’re wrapping up our selected readings from Genesis. What we are reading is wonderful and challenging and intriguing, but what pains me is what we’re not reading (for time’s sake): we’re skipping some amazing chapters! Though not part of the plan per se, if you’re able, I encourage you to read the chapters we’re skipping as well. For instance, if you didn’t read the chapters we skipped, that means you missed most of the story of
The Stairway to Heaven
Right now in our 2026 bible reading plan, we’re going through selected readings from the book of Genesis. The stories are all amazing. But they are also difficult. When we’re reading Genesis, we have to remember that we are reading literature from thousands of years ago from a totally different culture, worldview, language, and society – and – it’s literature that is written to be heard and pondered over repeatedly over the course of a lifetime. Just like following Jesus, It is
Thriving in Exile
Over the last four weeks at Central Youth, we were in a series called Aliens: Thriving in Exile. Below is a summary of the lessons looking at the stories of exile in Scripture and what that means for our lives today. There’s a pattern that runs through the entire story of Scripture, and once you see it, you start noticing it everywhere—including in your own life. Israel is trapped in Egypt, crying out for freedom. They want out; out of oppression, out
A Pastoral Word of Love, Truth, & Justice
Good morning Central Baptist. I hope you are staying warm on this very cold day, and endured last weekend’s snow well! Let’s hope we’re not in for another one this weekend – I miss being together! And after last Saturday, I really wish we were together. If we were together on Sunday (rather than the pre-recorded message), I would have taken some time to reflect on what we all saw, from multiple angles, out of Minneapolis this past weekend. It is disturbing,
Sad News on a Cold Day
Good afternoon Central Baptist. I hope you are staying warm on this very cold day.I want to start off with some sad news: this morning, at about 9AM, Bill Taylor passed away peacefully. He is now with Jesus, which as Paul tells us, “is far better” (Philippians 1:23). Bill was such a good and kind man, a loving husband and father, and a gentle and warm presence, friend, and brother to us all. He will be greatly missed. Please pray for
Blind Old Bartimaeus
In this morning’s men’s bible study, we discussed one of the stories we read for today’s bible reading plan: the story of blind Bartimaeus.It’s one of my favorite stories in Mark for two reasons.First, when I was interviewing for to be the pastor here at Central, I was asked to lead a bible study – and this is the story I chose to do. As I was reflecting on the story in preparation of that bible study, the ideas and message