An Alternative to Bad Religion

 July 23, 2023

Bad religion makes us divide the world into people who are wheat and weeds (that is, good and bad; see Matthew 13)

Martin Luther, instead of seeing the world in terms of good and bad people, offered that each of us has wheat and weed in our lives — we are “Simul justus et peaccator” (saint and sinner).

Pastor Rob does not simply offer a history lesson, but offers a way for us prayerfully to wrestle with the weeds within and opens our hearts to glorify God for the wheat in our lives.  This practice, in turn, can open us up to find common ground with the people whom we likely consider weeds.

The image is actual a decal you can purchase:

DECAL: Simul Justus et Peccator

The Patient Sower, A Supernova and Kneelers

 July 16, 2023

This Sunday we heard Jesus offer the parable of the Sower (Matthew 13).   This is a parable that speaks two hard truths:

First, that evil is at work in our world.

Second, that God is also at work in our world; but God works on a different time horizon than we do.

A call to patience (where the kneelers come in) and the promise of God’s patience (where the supernova comes in)

Yokes, Ted Lasso and Anti-Heros

 

July 9, 2023

“Come to me, all you are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul” ~ Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew (11:28-29)

Jesus offers us profound words of comfort today.  To explore the power of these words, Pastor Rob reflects on the difference between a burden — something we are dealing with in our lives that is hard — and a yoke — something that is like a burden, but it emerges from our past and drives us into the future.

A friend can help us with a burden; but to deal with a yoke, we need a savior.  Why?  Because to deal with a yoke requires wrestling with demons and forgiveness.  This savior is Jesus, who toke our yoke upon himself in the cross.

A Cup of Cold Water…produces ripples

 July 2, 2023

Freedom in the world means “I am free to do whatever I want.”

Freedom in the Bible means “I am free to do what Jesus wants”

And what does Jesus want?  This week we hear Jesus commanding us to give a cup of cold water to people who are in need.   

A reflection on how Christ frees us from the forces of cynicism and fatalism and frees us for generosity and hope.