“Lent is an opportunity to consider all the ways God has seen you through the challenges of your life, not as the cause of them but as your greatest supporter through them.” What was a challenge in your life where you felt God supporting you? // 1 Corinthians 10:1-10, 13 Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving de...
Mar 29, 2019•13 min
“When bad things happen to some, they happen to all of us." Why do bad things happen to good people? // Luke 13:1-9 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Si...
Mar 28, 2019•7 min
“We belong to one another. We never have to be alone." Where do you go to feel a sense of belonging? // John 19:26-27 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. // This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Rachel Cornwell. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushroom...
Mar 27, 2019•8 min
"The hope of how things will be strengthens us for the protest, for justice and mercy, and the joy to sing and be kind. And this hope is what transforms us." What is giving you hope today? // Psalm 63:1-8 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I wil...
Mar 26, 2019•8 min
“God, who is not always the same as the church, brings us in empty, thirsty, in need, and God sends us forth full and with more than enough to share with everyone." What has God given you to share with the world around you? // Isaiah 55:1 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Lamentations 5:2-4 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to aliens. We have become orpha...
Mar 25, 2019•8 min
“Running is like the season of Lent, a season that invites you to feel your feet on the ground - the dirt, the dust - and enter this labyrinth, remembering that from dust we came and to dust we will return." When was the last time you really felt your feet on the ground? // Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looki...
Mar 24, 2019•4 min
“It is the breaking of the dusty, gritty ground that brings forth the first shoot of grass. It is in the breaking of bread that community is formed.” How have you experienced new life in the midst of brokenness? // Joel 2:13 Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Psalm 51:17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Genesis 3:19 From dust you came and to dust you will return. // This episode was written and recorded by Rachel J...
Mar 23, 2019•10 min
“We have demonized our desire so it seems that anything we have an appetite for is sinful." What is your definition of temptation? // Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “...
Mar 22, 2019•12 min
“Power is shared, peace prevails, love is law, grace is poured out, the margins become the center, the earth is cherished, humanity thrives." Now that’s what I call a bucket list. // Luke 13:31-35 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day...
Mar 21, 2019•11 min
“Jesus knows the full scope of what can crush the human spirit: betrayal, abandonment, humiliation, physical abuse, and the cruelty of a cold justice system.” What does it mean to you that God is “in it” with you? // Luke 23:43 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” // This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Emily McGinley. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Evelyn by Go. Visit www.trcnyc.org...
Mar 20, 2019•10 min
“The vocation God has woven into you, the invitation towards a new path — think about your risk in a sacramental way.” How can you mark your God-inspired risks in a sacramental way? // Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Yo...
Mar 19, 2019•8 min
“Lent is a time set apart to confront the questions we too easily put off in our regular routines and rhythms, questions of allegiance, loyalties, priorities.” What do we stand, sit, or kneel for? In other words, whom do we follow? // Philippians 3:17-4:1 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is des...
Mar 18, 2019•9 min
“We are called to live in the house of God and the house of God is among those who are suffering." Who are you praying for? And with whom are you praying? // Psalm 27 God is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? God is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. One t...
Mar 17, 2019•10 min
"What is justice if we can’t hear the judge? What is love without the voice of the lover?" These aren’t rhetorical questions. Love and justice are essential to our humanity. // This episode was written and recorded by Amanda Meisenheimer and Rebecca Stevens-Walter. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. The spoken word portions were written by Amanda Meisenheimer. Vocals by Amanda Meisenheimer. Background vocals and acoustic guitar by Rebecca Stevens-Walter. Say Something was originally written by A ...
Mar 16, 2019•7 min
“We can speak words of life to one another, words of humor, hope, forgiveness, joy, grace, peace, and justice." What is a word of hope you can share right now? // Romans 10:8-13 “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mou...
Mar 15, 2019•9 min
"Soil, the the eternal life given to bones and flesh and feathers and leaves, the open hand to heaven, catching new life." What are new metaphors you can think of to describe eternal life? // Luke 4:1-4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command thi...
Mar 14, 2019•6 min
"When we are hurt or left hanging, betrayed or backstabbed, “forgive you” is not necessary the first F word that comes to mind." When was the last time you struggled to forgive? // Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. // This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Samples include We Shall Overcome as performed by Nate Waggoner. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by P...
Mar 13, 2019•12 min
In our darkest hour there is nothing that can ever separate us from the love God. No evil is final. No suffering is endured alone. God has the final word and that word is love. How have you experienced God’s final word of “love” in your life? // Psalm 91:1-2, 14-15 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my nam...
Mar 12, 2019•7 min
"When others are fleeing the persecution and terrible oppression that is upon them and they enter a new land, they are to be welcomed, they are to be included, they are to be part of the whole." What do you think President Trump and his fans would say about that? And then what would you say or do in response? // Deuteronomy 26:1-11 When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, you shall take some of the f...
Mar 11, 2019•6 min
"There’s no such thing as ‘my relationship with God’ except as mediated through accountable community, friendship with the poor, and challenge to the powerful." Does the shape of your life reflect your longing to see God set people free? // Mark 1:10-12 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” And the Spirit immediately drove h...
Mar 10, 2019•7 min
"I bring you my pain, I give you my sorrow. I offer my shame, the threat of tomorrow." What are you bringing with you as you step into the season of Lent? // If we don’t learn how to weep over the broken parts of our lives and the brokenness of the world, we will further break our lives and the world. But another way is possible. Healing is possible. Wholeness is possible. Our wounds don’t disappear, but they can truly become a channel for the river of new life to flow. This holy river usually b...
Mar 09, 2019•17 min
"Now is the time, now is the moment for a movement of liberation and reconciliation." How are you called to work as part of this movement for liberation and reconciliation? // 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As we work together with him, we urge you also not to a...
Mar 08, 2019•10 min
"Lent is an invitation to recognize and embrace our humanity. And this invitation is not easy." Are you ready to lean in to the necessary and difficult work of this Lenten invitation? // Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. // This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Rev. Ji...
Mar 07, 2019•8 min
"This is what the church is: a group of beautiful, beloved, flawed creatures who believe that love saves us and love can save the world." How would you describe the church? // Psalm 118:1 O give thanks to the Lord, for she is good; her steadfast love endures forever! // This episode was written and recorded by Pastor Amy Butler. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, Seeking Clarity by Alex Fitch, and Love Can Change the World by Aaron Nie...
Mar 06, 2019•8 min
"It's easy to stay where you are. It takes courages to take the steps and go to the places you are being called. The invitation is to enter the labyrinth, to follow Abram and go, to trust that the path will lead you where you need to be." What is the next step forward that God is inviting you to take? // Genesis 12:1-4 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless yo...
Mar 01, 2019•7 min
Isaiah 52:7-8 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. // Isaiah 52 talks about watchmen, people on lookout, who lift up their voices and bring good news to those who wait, news about all the good things that God longs for and calls us to p...
Dec 24, 2018•6 min
John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through...
Dec 23, 2018•6 min
Luke 1:49-55 What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. Her mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before her. Her bared his arm and showed her strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts. She knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold. She embraced his chosen child, Israel; she remembered and piled on the...
Dec 22, 2018•6 min
Luke 3:15-18 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with u...
Dec 21, 2018•7 min
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. // When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my childre...
Dec 20, 2018•8 min
