Category Archives: Uncategorized

When Jesus asks his disciples, “Why are you sleeping?” he is asking them and us to move beyond the temptation of sleep so that we can be present, be awake to God and the many ways God is at work in this world.  “That’s one of the temptations of the season of Lent, we justContinue reading “Why are you sleeping?”

Jesus brings us a new definition of life. A King. A leader. A fighter is what the people wanted. Its all they new within the structure they lived. The Jewish people felt that change could only come through more violence. That was their present situation and was their only idea for a hopeful future. WhatContinue reading “a powerful act”

A poem by Walter Brueggemann Ruler of the Night, Guarantor of the day…This day — a gift from you.This day — like none other you have ever given, or we have ever received.This Wednesday dazzles us with gift and newness and possibility.This Wednesday burdens us with the tasks of the day, for we are already halfway home     halfwayContinue reading “Marked by Ashes”

Guest Blog Post: Danny Gulden Driving through a tunnel can be fearful experience, especially one that you have never been through before. I once drove through one in the mountains, dark and never-ending. I mean never-ending. It seemed like I would never the see the light of day.  Lately, I’ve been thinking about that driveContinue reading “God’s Best Work”

“I can see everything from here.” That is the statement I made as I stood atop Mount Mitchell’s dramatic summit which stands at 6,684 and is the highest point east of the Mississippi. It’s one of those places that stand apart from the ordinary, and you can’t help but feel the Holy. We have all,Continue reading “Awe and Wonder”

Jesus loved to challenge his disciples, and those challenges still rest with us today. So what does the Kin-dom of God look like? A mustard seed. A mustard seed is not very impressive. It is more common and underwhelming than the glorious kingdom, spoken by the prophets of old. Unlike the cedar tree, the mustardContinue reading “Enough”

“Whoever shall receive one such child in my name receives me and ultimately the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:37 paraphrased) In the twenty-first century, this example of a child loses some of its significance, but according to biblical scholars, a child during Jesus’ time was an insignificant part of an adult-oriented culture. Children wereContinue reading “you’re a child of God”

I have a confession: I have created a monster. For anyone who has ever been on a mission trip, you know I enjoy a late-night board game once we return from the mission site. The only thing I enjoy more than the game is winning. Ask anyone who has ever played Monopoly with me, andContinue reading “a confession”

Dear 12yo Sarah,  In the next year, you will experience so many changes – in your school, friends, body, the world. I encourage you to take it all in, notice the differences but not dwell on them with anxiety. Remember that you are you no matter what, who you sit with at lunch, how tallContinue reading “Dear 12YO Sarah”

The poem “The Work of Christmas” was written by Howard Thurman, a theologian, educator, and prominent leader during the civil rights movement. For him, Christmas is only the beginning of our role as Christians. The poem begins:  “When the song of the angels is stilled,  When the star in the sky is gone,  When theContinue reading “The Work of Christmas”