Since the very beginning of Christianity, churches formed rule, regulations, and ways to try to control and understand the movement of the Spirit in the lives of those who call themselves Christian. When I was in college, I attended a lot of different churches from various Christian traditions and what stood out to me is … [Read more…]
When I was in middle school, my eldest brother was sent on active duty to Saudi Arabia. I remember sending letters, and receiving broken up phone calls while he was a way. He said it was so hot that no work could be done during the day and so to pass the time they captured … [Read more…]
When I was a little girl, my brother Jason and I used to argue with one another about who was smarter. And now I see that same type of competitiveness among my nephews. It is what drives us to better ourselves in the best of times. Most recently my oldest nephew has decide, as both my … [Read more…]
When you imagine Jesus, what does Jesus look like, what does he act like? (Let Congregation answer) I often imagine this well spoken man, a brave man, not the poorest of the poor but not wealthy. I tend to imagine Jesus very much being like me. I imagine him as the ultimate comforter and these … [Read more…]
When we think of change: whether it is in the world, our careers, or our personal lives, what comes to your minds? Change can be exciting but it can also be a time full of anxiety and dread for many. Change can be frightening because we can’t always predict what will come next or how … [Read more…]
Promise and hope is what the Lenten season is to lead us to with the Easter morning. We are promised paradise and we are given hope in the new life. What we experience here isn’t the only life that is offered to us. Through coming to understand the depth of the love Christ experienced for … [Read more…]
At our last Lenten Supper as we discussed Christ’s final words on the cross, one of the participants mentioned that when Christ said “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”, that this showed Jesus’ humanity and suffering. I found that this stuck with me as it is something I have spent years pondering … [Read more…]
When you look at these crosses what images come to your minds? (show a series of different styles of crosses) They represent our faith and Christ’s sacrifice. They don’t represent the horrible form of execution that the cross actually was. They don’t represent death but rather they represent the life that Christ’s sacrifice brought to … [Read more…]
When I watch television, I have a tendency to really zone out. I become all enraptured to the point of having no idea what is happening around me. My brothers are the same way. And three of my nephews are as well. There is no such thing as having a conversation with us when the … [Read more…]
Growing up my parents were very strict about making sure that if my brothers and I committed to something that we followed through on those commitments; no matter how much we may have disliked it. Yet this was an important lesson that has carried my brothers and I through our lives. Many of you might … [Read more…]
