3.17.24 Message – Good Enough: We Are Fragile

Good Enough: We Are Fragile (John 12:1-8)

Life is fragile. And we won’t be around forever. Although we’d much rather pretend that we will. We don’t want to think of how fragile and brief everything really can be. It makes us uncomfortable; remembering our fragility lays bare the precious nature of the present moment. Jesue knew this, and that his own death would be soon. He asked his disciples to start to think about what life would be like without him…and to the surprise of no one, they didn’t want to. Much like we don’t want to think of the death of our loved ones.

But what if instead of denying the inevitable we embraced our limited time, savored it, and admitted our vulnerability to one another? How might this impact how we live in the present moment?

3.10.24 Message – Good Enough: We Often Believe We Are the Problem

We can be pretty hard on ourselves when things don’t go as planned. Guilt, shame, and fear of being seen as a failure can make us our own harshest critic. It’s this fear that can keep us from being creative or trying something new. We will make mistakes, and that’s okay. Mistakes can help us learn, and none of us will ever be perfect at anything. Our ideas of a perfectible life keep us disappointed in ourselves. Truth is, life is a big risk every single day and facing whatever each day holds is not only good enough, but worthy of love and grace.

2.25.24 Message from Shawnee Community

Good Enough: So Much is Out of Our Control (Luke 13:31-35)

Have you ever tried herding chickens? It’s impossible. Even if we don’t know anything about chickens that much is clear. Trying to control others behavior–trying to make them do what we want when we want is next to impossible too. It can be frustrating when folks don’t do what we’d like–even Jesus had his moments of frustration when folks didn’t do what he wanted.

But what if we let go of needing all things and all people to be exactly what we want and instead learn to go with the flow of that which is not ours to control?

 

2.18.24 Message – Good Enough: Ordinary Can Be Holy

Good Enough: Ordinary Can be Holy (Luke 4:1-13)

We find ourselves hungry for many things that we believe will satisfy us. What one of us wouldn’t be tempted to jump at a chance of glory, fame, or a quick fix if it was offered and guaranteed to us? Jesus himself was tempted by these things. Yet, he was able to resist them and continue to live in a way that was real and authentic to who he was.

What temptations catch your ear, singing out promises that your life should be more special than it is? What if your ordinary life is already holy—as is?

2.11.24 Message: Who Do We Want Jesus to Be?

Who Do We Want Jesus to Be? (Mark 9:2-9)

So often we take the Jesus we read about, hear about, preach about, pray about and we try and fit him into neat little boxes we’ve created for him. Often we try and limit Jesus’ teachings to what we’re comfortable with and what’s acceptable to us.

Jesus’ teachings were compassionate and loving, but at the same time, they were radical, uncomfortable, and demanded that his followers grow and stretch to follow him…

Trying to fit Jesus into a theological or denominational box is one way of trying to control Jesus’ message. But what if Faith isn’t supposed to work that way? What if Jesus is asking us to let go of our illusion of control and instead have our faith stretched in new ways?

2.4.24 Message: Jesus Practiced Self-Care

Jesus Practiced Self-Care (Mark 1:29-39)

We hear a lot about the importance of self-care and how and when we’re supposed to practice it. Many things folks can do are named “self-care,” but what is it really? And how does it impact our spiritual self if we regularly practice it or not? Jesus practiced self-care (although it’s not named exactly that way) and we see him taking care of himself time and time again…what does it look and feel like when we follow his example?

1.28.24 Sunday Message from Shawnee Community

Devotion Moment for Sunday, January 14

On this cold, wintry morning, please hear this worshipful moment from our music director, Ronette.

While we miss being with one another this morning, we know that God is with each of us wherever we may be.. May you feel the warmth of God’s blessing and love upon you today.

The Gift of Being Present: Being Present with Hope (12.3.23 Message from Shawnee Community)

 

The Gift of Being Present: Being Present with Hope (1 Corinthians 1:4-7, Psalm 80:1-2)

We spend quite a bit of time in our lives waiting, and with waiting often comes difficulty. Waiting for restored relationships, for healing, for financial stability, for peace in conflict…it can seem a long wait for hope. Like our early spiritual ancestors who cried out to God for help, we too need God’s help in our times of distress. Just like the early Christian community, we have times of waiting, watching for God’s presence, and anticipating a restoration to freedom. All of this points to the presence of hope, essential to survival in difficult times. Let us all be present with hope to all those who need it most.

11.26.23 Message from Shawnee Community