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we *are* the “them” - Advent Reflections: Day 13-14
Much of theology in the States seems to be about “reaching out” - “Jesus and the woman at the fringes of her culture” or “Paul learning about and adapting and reaching out to the Greeks culture” whereas in the UK the new forms seem to be emerging because Christians feel we are “the woman” or [...]
Mary the Revolutionary:Advent Reflections Day 12
This is an overview of my teaching on Sunday at Revolution. Much of the material for this message was taken from Scot McKnight’s book, “The Real Mary”. (I strongly recommend this book). McKnight had an article published in Christianity Today titled “the Mary We Never Knew” you can find it here. Luke 1:46-55 46 And Mary said: [...]
Advent Reflections: Day 10-11 baby hugs
Luke 2:4-7 My baby isn’t so much a baby anymore…technically. She’s almost 2.5. It’s hard to believe that this time next year I’ll have a 6 year old and a 3 year old. We’re not having any more babies (when we adopt we plan to adopt a slightly older child) and sometimes I get a little [...]
Advent Reflections: Day 9, praying for peace
I feel like I’m surrounded by pain and heartache right now - in my family (my siblings), with my neighbors, in my city, in my state - it’s all feeling very heavy in my soul right now. The shootings in Denver and Colorado Springs just add to that weight. I hurt for the families affected [...]
Advent Reflections: Day 8, first day week 2
Ps. 72:1-7, 18-19 Ro. 15:4-13 (Is. 11:1-10, Mt. 3:1-12) Romans 15 “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we have hope” This encouragement and hope should lead us to live in harmony with one another, the way Christ accords, in order that we may have one voice to glorify God BECAUSE Christ became a servant to confirm [...]
Advent Reflections: Day 7
Mt. 3:1-12 v. 7-10 How many of us so easily read John’s words to the religious and say - “yes! Take that!” But we need to remember that we are God’s representatives today. Christians are to be those hearing God’s voice, bearing fruit. How often do we presume that God is not speaking here or there [...]
Advent Reflections: Day 6
Mt. 24:36-44 Is. 11:1-10 A shoot rising from a stump - life springing from death. God is constantly breathing life into dead bones all around us. Part of the alertness and active longing we should be experiencing this season involves actively and intentionally watching for the dead stumps where God is springing forth life-giving shoots and join [...]
Advent Reflections: Day 5
Is. 11:1-10 In the beginning we find the end and at the end we begin again. T.S. Eliot says something very similar. What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. Advent, especially as we start the [...]