As we face Caesar's new reign of terror over our land: How can we honor our church's wandering in the wilderness? Perhaps the best way is to change our lens to see and our location to be with those long in exile ...
For the Election: Commandments Inseparable
In Mark's gospel, Jesus offers two great commandments. How can his teaching here - that our love of neighbor-as-self is of equal significance with our love of God - shape our response to the election ... unconditionally?
A Blind Man's Lesson for a Blinded Land
Jesus asks Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?" In this fraught election season - where many have lost touch with their deepest wants - perhaps Bartimaeus can help us see again, through the eyes of those most anxious about the results.
God's Gift of Generosity: Enough for All!
Two of Jesus' disciples - James and John - vie for political power. They must rise above. They don't believe God provides enough to go around. Given the cost of discipleship to which he calls them (and us): there had better be!
God's Gift of Generosity to A World Possessed
The less possessed we are by our possessions, the more we can enjoy God's generosity. How to get to that place of grace - of gratitude? Mark 10:17-31
Who Is There Big Enough to Love the Whole Planet?
After a stirring canting of Psalm 8, Rev. Booker relates how this Psalm might empower us to transcend the tribalism of this election season.
"In His Name": What Does That Mean?
"In his name". A version of this phrase appears three times in Mark 9:38-41. For Mark's Jesus, his name is more relational than confessional. How so? And how are we experiencing his name as a church?
Are We Willing to Be Vulnerable? Part 3, "Being Fearless This Election Season"
Jesus' disciples expect a political Messiah - at the least, in their desperation, particular political results. He leads them to a child ... Mark 9:30-37.
From Messiah to a New Humanity
In Mark's gospel, Peter called him Messiah. Jesus called himself Son of Man: a New Humanity. The identifier we choose may indicate how we see the world around us - and how we may locate our expectations this election season. Mark 8:27-38.
A Humbled Lord
One of a series, "Being Fearless This Election Year." Our social and spiritual framing of our world are intimately connected. Hence, when we look to a Christ to save us, we naturally project that prospect onto the world around us. This election season, perhaps: Jesus offers us another way to look at him - and, by extension, look at our world. Scripture: Mark 7:24-37.
If It Divides, Step Aside!
The Rev. Harry Stock shares a powerful personal story and insights what "born again" means to him - and it does not divide who's-in from who's-out. John 3:1-12
But Will God Indeed Dwell on the Earth?
While dedicating the Temple at a holy "national convention", King Solomon shouts aloud that grounded question. In this turbulent election season, is that hope for us real - i.e., unconditional of political events transpiring 'round us? 1 Kings 8 (excerpts)
What Is Your Ask?
"Ask what I should give you," God said to Solomon. The Rev. Pat Jackson walks us through his hometown of Groningen, The Netherlands to imagine with him what we might want from God. Could it be compassion? Vision? A world of beauty, or an appreciation of uniqueness?
Do Not Depend on the Hope of Results
Part 5 of 5, "Being Fearless This Election Year". For centuries, Romans 13:1-7 has proven a passage of choice for authoritarians everywhere. What if we were to read it as Paul perhaps intended it: as a way to detach our spiritual health from the hope of getting certain civic results?
Feeding the 5000: When You Haven't Got Enough
Part IV, "Being Fearless This Election Year". We worship productivity; Jesus emphasizes distribution. With open distribution of what we have, can God's providence make our not-enoughness - enough? Mark 6:30-44
From the Prayer of Words to Prayerful Action
Part III, "Bearing Fearless This Election Year". Mark's Gospel was written in a chaotic time - when words were cheap, and inhumanity great. And so, their faith was based more on the detachment of prayerful love and less on attachment to framed beliefs. How to detach with compassion, with the stress of this season upon us? Mark 6:30-34, 53-56.
The Verdict of History
Part II: "Being Faithful This Election Season". Why is John - an eccentric desert prophet - remembered so warmly 20 centuries on? Through the actions of prophets facing down the Herods over the centuries, let's consider the verdict of history.
From Division, Detachment
Summer Series, Part 1: "Being Faithful This Election Season". Jesus' homecoming was not well-received - much like some of our political discussions. He offers clues how to detach with love: perhaps the first step we may need to take before engaging The Divider before us ...
The Priority and Power of the Poor
Rev. Chuck unearths twin biblical truths that Jesus' two healings in Mark 5:21-43 highlight: that what's good for the least (his priority for some) is good for the whole (his power for us all).
Pride Message: "It's No Joke!"
In his response to insults and injuries he's received as a gay man, the Rev. Harry Stock knows that Jesus' teaching to love the enemy is no laughing matter. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19, Matthew 5:38-48.
