What do we do when our expectations of faith don't work out quite as we had expected? The recipients of the letter known as 1 Peter were working to understand their faith even as all those who had personally known Jesus were dying away and the future looked unclear. Just as today, they needed encouragement and clarification.
What do we do when our expectations of faith don't work out quite as we had expected? The recipients of the letter known as 1 Peter were working to understand their faith even as all those who had personally known Jesus were dying away and the future looked unclear. Just as today, they needed encouragement and clarification.
We examine the life of the early community of faith as detailed in Acts 2. What can learn about being the church in the world today from the writings of Luke?
We examine the life of the early community of faith as detailed in Acts 2. What can learn about being the church in the world today from the writings of Luke?
On the road to Emmaus, two travelers encounter the risen Christ and recognize him through the interpretation of Scripture and in the breaking of bread. They turn and head in the opposite direction and gather with others who have had similar experiences. Their journey teaches us about our own.
On the road to Emmaus, two travelers encounter the risen Christ and recognize him through the interpretation of Scripture and in the breaking of bread. They turn and head in the opposite direction and gather with others who have had similar experiences. Their journey teaches us about our own.
In the account of "Doubting Thomas" we see how doubt gives way to faith. The very human reactions of the followers of Jesus at the time of the resurrection, confusion, doubt and fear, can nonetheless be the forces that drive us towards clarity, faith and fearlessness in our actions to carry the Good News into the world.
In the account of "Doubting Thomas" we see how doubt gives way to faith. The very human reactions of the followers of Jesus at the time of the resurrection, confusion, doubt and fear, can nonetheless be the forces that drive us towards clarity, faith and fearlessness in our actions to carry the Good News into the world.
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Today, we look at John's account of the empty tomb, reading the narrative with new eyes. All attempts to keep Jesus safely "inside the box" fail on Easter morning.
On Palm Sunday we recall the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to the cries of "Hosanna!" from the crowds; cries that turned to "Crucify him!" within a few days. We see how a mistaken view of Jesus and his purpose in journeying to Jerusalem still today leads to confused and negative views, distorting the meaning of discipleship.
On Palm Sunday we recall the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to the cries of "Hosanna!" from the crowds; cries that turned to "Crucify him!" within a few days. We see how a mistaken view of Jesus and his purpose in journeying to Jerusalem still today leads to confused and negative views, distorting the meaning of discipleship.
As Easter draws close, we look at Ezekiel's account of the Valley of Dry Bones as a helpful lens through which to examine the dying, death, resurrection and new life that comes about through Jesus. We see how this metaphor helps us to understand and live through times when we, too, encounter the Valley of Dry Bones.
As Easter draws close, we look at Ezekiel's account of the Valley of Dry Bones as a helpful lens through which to examine the dying, death, resurrection and new life that comes about through Jesus. We see how this metaphor helps us to understand and live through times when we, too, encounter the Valley of Dry Bones.
As we journey through Lent, we encounter Paul writing of light and dark. We explore his use of this imagery and see how it relates to our modern-day understandings of light and dark.
As we journey through Lent, we encounter Paul writing of light and dark. We explore his use of this imagery and see how it relates to our modern-day understandings of light and dark.
In the story of the "Samaritan Woman At The Well" we find Jesus working to restore the covenant community by rebuilding the shattered relationships between Judah and Samaria. We see all of the elements needed for reconciliation and restoration in this classic narrative.
In the story of the "Samaritan Woman At The Well" we find Jesus working to restore the covenant community by rebuilding the shattered relationships between Judah and Samaria. We see all of the elements needed for reconciliation and restoration in this classic narrative.
As our journey through Lent continues, we encounter the question of how our Lenten practices relate to the tragic situation in Japan where an earthquake and tsunami has caused devastation. How do we respond from a position of holiness and righteousness in the face of such a crisis?
As our journey through Lent continues, we encounter the question of how our Lenten practices relate to the tragic situation in Japan where an earthquake and tsunami has caused devastation. How do we respond from a position of holiness and righteousness in the face of such a crisis?
On this First Sunday in Lent we explore the lectionary texts to ask the question, why is it so difficult to engage in Lenten practices for a mere 40 days?
On this First Sunday in Lent we explore the lectionary texts to ask the question, why is it so difficult to engage in Lenten practices for a mere 40 days?
Holiness and righteousness are "big ideas" in Scripture and yet these may be terms that we rarely use in our everyday conversation. As we look at how these words are used in Scripture and made familiar to us in songs, we see the centrality of the concepts of holiness and righteousness in understanding the flow of the Scriptural narrative.
Holiness and righteousness are "big ideas" in Scripture and yet these may be terms that we rarely use in our everyday conversation. As we look at how these words are used in Scripture and made familiar to us in songs, we see the centrality of the concepts of holiness and righteousness in understanding the flow of the Scriptural narrative.
As we think about salvation we encounter Paul's encouragement to, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855), the philosopher, examined "fear and trembling" in the light of the story of Abraham. We explore this narrative and think about salvation in our own context.
As we think about salvation we encounter Paul's encouragement to, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855), the philosopher, examined "fear and trembling" in the light of the story of Abraham. We explore this narrative and think about salvation in our own context.
Today, we examine some of the big questions about the concept of "the Will of God". What does “the will of God” look like? Is everything that happens the will of God (including the bad things)? If not all things are the will of God, how do we discern God’s will for our lives? We use Leslie Weatherhead's categories of the intentional will of God, the circumstantial will of God and the ultimate will of God to try and answer these questions and others.
Today, we examine some of the big questions about the concept of "the Will of God". What does “the will of God” look like? Is everything that happens the will of God (including the bad things)? If not all things are the will of God, how do we discern God’s will for our lives? We use Leslie Weatherhead's categories of the intentional will of God, the circumstantial will of God and the ultimate will of God to try and answer these questions and others.
The second stanza of Charles Wesley's classic hymn, "All Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" is missing from many hymnals. This stanza, which gives an account of "Christian Perfection" as a second blessing (a second act of grace that follows justification and regeneration), challenges many ideas on the ultimate outcome of the Christian life.
The second stanza of Charles Wesley's classic hymn, "All Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" is missing from many hymnals. This stanza, which gives an account of "Christian Perfection" as a second blessing (a second act of grace that follows justification and regeneration), challenges many ideas on the ultimate outcome of the Christian life.
In "All Creatures Of Our God And King", we find an English paraphrase of the "Canticle Of The Sun" by St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis clearly delineates the difference between Creator and creation while, in an almost unspoken sense, emphasizes the sheer grace of God in all things.
