The Overture (Dec 2, 2018)
Advent is God’s overture to Christmas.
Advent is God’s overture to Christmas.
A look at the real meaning behind apocalyptic scriptures.
A different look at the story of Ruth and Naomi.
I want to open with a little Parrothead communion song with the elements of a little wine and some honeysuckle vine. And as with our regular communion, your all welcome to join me.
Women “mother” in ways that testify to the true life of relationship – the love of God. They teach us through word and through sacrifice, just as Jesus did. That is what I hear from our scripture in 1 John 5 this morning, which speaks of human testimony and God’s testimony. Human testimony is the testimony given to us by our mothering women. They give us stories, wisdom and love. God’s testimony of love, Jesus, is in our hearts. It is the love given by a gracious God and a sacrificial Jesus who mothers us. It is reinforced constantly by our loving mothers. We can rest assured on this Mothering Day that we already have eternal life because we have within us, the mothering love of the light of God’s life. In celebration of women who mother, let us say, AMEN.
The Day of Pentecost can never be fully understood until we open ourselves to a personal Pentecost. It’s not that we’ll miraculously speak French or German or Chinese without ever having learned the language, but we will come to experience a new power in our Christian living.
Life is full of doubt and uncertainty. Often it is chaotic…and exciting…and frightening. Unbelievable things happen around us all of the time, as we desperately try to control life.
We have the power to unite our family, our nation and God’s creation. We can help improve the world. We can save the oceans. We can heal the land. We can stop the murders of innocent black lives. We can do anything………if we trust in God and love one another we will endure.
Jesus taught us the most important boundary of all, that serves as the foundation, the ground of our freedom, and that is love. Our freedom will come to an end if we don’t ground it with love; rather than with hatred, prejudice, greed, fear, disrespect, and exclusivity. There is no freedom if it’s all about […]