5.15.22 Message: Troublemakers & Rabble Rousers-Prophets in Our Own Time

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We’ve heard of prophets in the bible. We generally think of them running around in hair shirts, having locusts for dinner, and shouting how bad everyone was. But there was more nuance to prophets in the biblical text than what caricatures want us to recognize. The need for prophets has not disappeared over the years. What’s a modern prophet look and sound like, and what role do they to play in our time? How do they speak for God and how can we know that they speak truth?  What challenge do our modern prophets present to us and are we willing to grow into the people that they believe we can be? With the idea that “Well behaved women seldom make history” we take a look at women from biblical and modern times—and how they are prophets among us.

 

5.8.22 Message: Troublemakers & Rabble Rousers-Prophets in Our Own Time

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We’ve heard of prophets in the bible. We generally think of them running around in hair shirts, having locusts for dinner, and shouting how bad everyone was. But there was more nuance to prophets in the biblical text than what caricatures want us to recognize.

The need for prophets has not disappeared over the years. What’s a modern prophet look and sound like, and what role do they to play in our time? How do they speak for God and how can we know that they speak truth?  What challenge do our modern prophets present to us and are we willing to grow into the people that they believe we can be?

With the idea that “Well behaved women seldom make history” we take a look at women from biblical and modern times—and how they are prophets among us.

4.10.22 Message: Palm Sunday

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Palm Sunday: Cultivating Faith and Letting Go of Others’ Expectations (Luke 19:28-40)

Jesus had many expectations put on him by others of what he needed to do and who he needed to be in
order to fulfill his role as teacher/prophet/messiah. How did he let those go and focus on who he knew
God needed him to be? How can we let go of what others expect of us and focus on who God needs us
to be?

3.27.22 Message: Short Stories by Jesus: Laborers in the Vineyard

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Short Stories by Jesus: The Laborers in the Vineyard

How and when have you experienced generosity in your life? We can be thrilled and humbled when we are on the receiving end of generosity, and it can make us feel good to act in a generous way to others…When we have an opportunity to make those economic decisions, what do they have to do with how we express our faithfulness to God?

3.20.22 Message: Short Stories by Jesus – The Pearl of Great Price

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Short Stories by Jesus: The Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46 & Matthew 19:16-30)

We all like our stuff. We work hard to earn money to buy stuff, we collect it all our lives, and then work hard to figure out who we can give it to when we’re no longer here. As we strive to collect more stuff–physical objects, experiences, and accolades when do we decide we have enough? Is there ever a point we reach when we can we identify and prioritize the stuff/treasures in our lives, and do they align with what Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom of Heaven?

3.13.22 Message: Short Stories by Jesus – The Good Samaritan

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Short Stories by Jesus: The Good Samaritan

We usually have preconceived ideas about the people around us, and these ideas can often influence how we treat people. If, indeed, we are to love our neighbor and our enemies, what does that look like in today’s world? How does Jesus continue to challenge your understanding of what neighbors and enemies look like?

3.6.22 Message: Short Stories by Jesus – Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son.

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Short Stories by Jesus: Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son.

2.27.22 Message: The Art of Hearing – Hearing is Believing

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The Art of Hearing: Hearing is Believing.

There are times in our lives when our faith grows because of something specific and meaningful we experience. We often think those experiences have to be exceptional and dazzling, but really anything has the potential to help us experience God in ways that have a profound impact on us. Whether we have an experience that is once in a lifetime or in the midst of everydayness, it does and should change us. Following Jesus is asking for change in our lives, in our hearts and in our minds.

How has following Jesus changed your life? How would you like it to change your life?

2.20.22 Message: The Art of Hearing – Hearing One Another

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The Art of Hearing: Hearing One Another

Each of us has a voice. Not just a literal, physical voice, but a voice that shares who we are and how we got here—a voice that shares our story. Embedded in each one of our stories are situations where we can choose love or hate, to accept or deny another’s humanity and child-of-God-ness. How we use our voice reflects the love we see for ourselves and others through God’s eyes. Sometimes it can be incredibly difficult to hear and see that love, especially when it is one we consider an “enemy.” And yet, Jesus teaches us to love our enemies as well as our friends.

How do you hear God’s voice calling you to love and how is that reflected in your voice today?