In his account of the resurrection, John sees faith in Jesus as a gradual unfolding, not a one-time act. We are called to patiently embrace the sometimes-slow unfolding of God's work in our lives.Support the show
God provides abundant water for all who thirst.Support the show
Our story from the book of Numbers today shows us that God's judgment is not merely punitive but serves as a revelation of what happens when we turn away from the good gifts that God offers. The Christian understanding of repentance offers us a redemptive pathway to transformation and new life. Support the show
God invites us to share life with himselfSupport the show
Grounded in the Exodus narrative, the Ten Commandments are not mere abstract rules but a vital part of a larger story of liberation and covenantal relationship between God and humanity. The Ten Commandments are gifts from God designed to lead humanity toward flourishing and abundant life; guides for living in alignment with God's covenant of grace, fostering faithful and courageous living.Support the show
In scripture-- and in our everyday lives-- names reflect identity and purpose. Abraham, originally named Abram, is promised by God to be the ancestor of a multitude of nations, with his name changed to reflect this new identity.Despite Abraham's moments of doubt and wavering faith, God's steadfast love and promise remain unchanged. Abraham's journey of faith is a model for believers today, even in the midst of struggles and uncertainties that accompany the Christian walk.Through Abraham's story, we are reminded that God's faithful action secures our future, allowing us to live confidently and responsibly in response to God's promiseSupport the show
God's covenant with Noah and all creation is grounded in a unilateral promise: a commitment to never again destroy the earth with a flood. Through the symbol of the rainbow, God demonstrates vulnerability and a willingness to risk all for love.Love demands sacrifices and risks, whether it's enduring sleepless nights for a sick child or intervening in a friend's destructive behavior. Just as God takes risks in his covenant with humanity, humans are called to sacrificial love, dying to themselves daily in the flood-like waters of baptism.Support the show
Paul's message to the Corinthians emphasizes the importance of embracing the present moment. There are real obstacles to a deeper life with God, both obvious and subtle. This Lenten season is a time to simplify, focus, and make room for Jesus and the transformative power of his presence. Support the show
Jesus not only provides for physical needs but also sees and responds to the deeper desires of our hearts. Jesus' ministry is about far more than mere provision for our needs, but about giving us extravagant joy and fulfillment beyond all our expectations.Support the show
Mark tells us that Jesus taught as one with authority...even though we do not actually hear the CONTENT of his teaching. That's because Jesus' authority comes not from somewhere else, but is rooted in his own identity. Our call as disciples is to move beyond mere recognition of Jesus' authority to a transformative recognition of his power and goodness.Support the show
Samuel's journey, like ours, involves navigating the mystery of God's work in our lives.Support the show
Mark narrates the furious energy of Jesus' ministry, from right out of the gates. Support the show
John the Baptizer demonstrates the posture we ought to adopt as witnesses to Jesus. Support the show
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When the world as we know it ends...God has new beginnings in store.Support the show
The story we tell ourselves about the world shapes the way that we live. Far from extolling the Protestant work ethic in the parable he tells in our gospel lesson, Jesus calls us to imagine what it would look like for each of us to live out of God’s rich abundance. To step out boldly, trusting that our gracious God will support us and give us everything we need. Support the show
People in our era often give gifts in a calculated way, to organizations that promise not to deepen human solidarity, or to grow in our relationship with God, but to remake the world according to a certain ideology. People often give, in other words, to exert control. And paradoxically, their giving is actually not a gift at all because it always has strings attached. By contrast, in the Old Testament, giving is a means to build solidarity in the human community and to honor the Lord, who loves his whole creation. In similar fashion, if you look at Jesus’ instructions and the early church practices on giving away wealth, it’s all about putting one’s whole trust in the Lord. We give as a way of declaring our ultimate trust in God, and our desire to deepen our relationships with one another.Support the show
What does it mean to be of one mind? Does it mean to have no thoughts and ideas of our own? To submit to tyranny? For Paul, it means to live in such a way that we demonstrate the reality that God has made himself known to us in community-- a Bonhoeffer pithy puts it, that "Jesus Christ exists as community." Support the show
Today's parable isn't trying to give us a lesson about increasing workplace productivity. Instead, it's trying to teach us about the logic of the kingdom of heaven. What is it like being a part of God's kingdom?Support the show
Though we often feel like justice and mercy are at odds with each other, mercy and forgiveness are means by which we pursue the justice that only God can bring. Support the show