Advent :: Joy

The third stop on the Advent Journey - reflecting on the outrageous capacity for life and love provided by Joy!

Advent :: Joy!

The third stop on the Advent Journey celebrates the wonder of Joy – the capacity for life as it is, on the way to Life as it will be. Joy is, unlike happiness, is not reflective of the circumstance – in fact, joy reframes our attitude towards the circumstances, allowing us to sit deeply with pai...

Advent: Love

Thinking through the fourth stop on the Advent Journey - Love that will save the world...
Advent :: Love

Empty Hands - Open Hands

Following Jesus is not without risk - especially the risk that comes from being loved by an Everlasting Love...
Empty Hands... Open Hands

Abundant Life :: Stewardship of Life

Part of an ongoing conversation - this part focusing on what it means to be steward of creation generally, and of our own precious lives, specifically.
Stewardship of Life

Abundant Life :: You Are a Soul

Part of an ongoing conversation on what it means to be a soul - spoken, formed in love by Love, breath of God giving life...
You Are a Soul

Drop Everything: Follow Jesus!

Last week, I felt deeply invited into a new old adventure - of wonder, trust, deep love - terrifyingly exhilarating! When Jesus believes in you, you have nothing better to do than to follow Him wherever He is going!
Drop Everything: Follow Jesus

Holiness is Usefulness

Last week's reflection on the "why" of holiness is still bouncing around in my heart - calling to repentance - to usefulness...
Holiness is Usefulness

All Play - Together!

Still stunned by the overwhelming audacity of God's plan to save the world by uniting us into one humanity in Christ!
All Play - Together!

Identity: The Wrestling Match

Continuing to think about identity - and the wrestling match between the false self and the self called into being by God's love...
Identity: The Wrestling Match

Identity: Ruined

The second conversation on Identity gave opportunity to reflect on what happens when we forget who we are...
Identity: Ruined

Identity: Source, Function and Sustenance

Beginning a month long conversation on Identity - beginning with reflection on the source, function and sustaining of our identity.
Identity: Source, Function and Sustenance

A Church Jesus Adds To...

Had the chance yesterday to reflect on what kind of community the Holy Spirit builds - and which is then a community that Jesus can add to...
A Church Jesus Adds To...

Kingdom Culture : Power

Had the chance a couple of weeks ago to consider what power, informed by the Kingdom of God, might look like in practice...
Kingdom Culture : Power

Jesus Trusts... A Church That Bears Witness

Thinking about what it means to be a church Jesus trusts - a church that He chooses to add to...
https://rockharbor.org/message/now-live-the-church-jesus-trusts-bears-witness/

Waiting...

Thinking about Jesus' strategy in handing off his mission to the disciples - and the promise of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be, and to be in such a way that witness is born to the reality of the Resurrected Christ! Genius!!
Waiting...

The Road To Emmaus

On the 5th Sunday of Easter, so fun - and deeply challenging - walking with Jesus and a couple of his friends as they get the punchline of history.
The Road To Emmaus

Images of God as Mother

Mother's Day at the Garden provided a chance to reflect on feminine images of God in scripture. And reminded me that God is so much grander than any of the words or ideas we use.
Images of God as Mother

Now Live! Mary Magdalene

Mary had known a darkness deeper than death - so, when Friday turned to Saturday turned to Sunday, her love for Jesus had her at the tomb - and set up a joy-full encounter with LIFE!
Now, Live! Mary Magdalene

The Strategy of The Cross

If we pay careful attention to the reality of the Palm Sunday processional, we notice a direct line to the cross - which was mostly missed by those in attendance. And... often, me.
The Strategy of the Cross

Are You His Disciple?

I was pressed to the wall last week with the question that floored Peter in the courtyard of the high priest - "Are you His disciple?" And also found myself understanding Peter a bit more.
Are You His Disciple?

Upside-Down Kingdom: Service and Sacrifice

When we pray "Your Kingdom come" what do we expect might happen? Jesus suggests that it won't come as good news to those who think it will put them in power positions!
The Upside-Down Kingdom: Service and Sacrifice

Jesus Speaks About the Holy Spirit

Considering again the great gift the Holy Spirit is - and brings - helping us in all the ways Jesus did! So grateful.
Jesus Promises Help!

Whole Life Worship

Thinking about the privilege of a whole life - lived in response to the mercies, the grace, the goodness of God.

Whole Life Worship

Who Do You See?

Watching Jesus sharpen the focus of the "signs" to require decisions - and outcomes... And, as always, surprised by how much fun He seems to have, and to be!
Who Do You See?

What You See, Is Who You Get.

Had the chance to reflect yesterday on another of the "signs" Jesus gave - and, in the aftermath, to feel the weight of his challenge - to "eat... and drink..." Him.
What You See, Is Who You Get

Jesus - Beyond Belief

Spent Sunday working on a challenging text in which Jesus challenges us to consider whether He might be bigger, grander, more lovely, more beautiful than we had believed - and whether our beliefs may be limiting our following of Him.
Jesus - Beyond Belief

I Will Give You Rest

Had the chance to think about the wonder of a God whose concern for us is such that He begins our journey to life on the foundation of... rest.

 I Will Give You Rest

Holiness Is Usefulness

As a kind of follow up to last week's consideration of Time and Presence, a reflection on what Jesus might have in mind for us - and how holiness matters...
Holiness Is Usefulness

Learning To Tell Time

Had the privilege last week to reflect on the hard work of being Present in time - only to discover that the hardest place ever to be is where I am!
Learning To Tell Time