But God raised him on the third day, and allowed him to appear, Not to all, but to us ... to testify that ...
Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”
We are so used to these words, they sum up such basic affirmations of Christian faith that they trip lightly off our tongue, and we hardly notice the non-sequiturs in them, the abrupt disconnections, their defiance of our usual moral and logical expectations.
Read MoreHappy New Year!!!
Today is January 1, 2017, the first day into the New Year. I am so hopeful that this whole year will be full of amazing and wonderful surprises for all of us. This past week has had a few surprises in receiving a couple additional Christmas gifts from God in the way of two strangers to care for and the gift of much rest and time at home… and through all of that, the study and consideration of names and words…
Paul’s message to the Church of Rome way back when was, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Read MoreI hear these words of the prophet Isaiah, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, these words written two thousand seven hundred years ago, this vision of a world without suffering, without evil, thanks to the looked-for intervening of a God who is not only merciful and just but powerful --- God will come and save you, says Isaiah
Read MoreThis Advent I have been looking for ways that we can and are planting HOPE while we await the birth LOVE. I have been remembering the past and dreaming about the future. I want to expand a little bit around the theme that I began last week. I want to stretch us, our minds and souls to consider the whole world.
Read MoreWelcome to the New Year of the Christian calendar. I know the Gregorian calendar begins a new year on January first, and our personal new year may happen on our birthday, I also know that the liturgical calendar begins for the new year today, this very morning, we are now in the liturgical calendar date of Year A 1st Sunday of Advent! So, happy New Year!
Read MoreThe first thing I do during and after a crisis or after experiencing a shock is to pray. Then the second thing I do is to look to the arts and what is being created with wholeness, love and amazing vision. These past several weeks I have been privileged being up here in the Valley, to see amazing and beautiful nature, God’s own art there.
Read MoreThese words, these so lovely words, “I am about to create new heavens and a new earth,” words that speak to our deepest longing to escape from our unhappiness with the way things are: with our divisions, our antagonisms, our fears, our insecurities.
Read MoreIn this week’s gospel, Jesus is questioned by some Sadducees. They are authorities and have some power… and perhaps feel threatened by this upstart Jesus who has a different message than the one that keeps them safely in their power and authority, or perhaps is simply a message that they truly don’t understand. Jesus’ response is one that steps out of the word-trap they set for him and offers a completely different perspective.
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