It is a scandal!! A sinful woman -- uninvited -- comes to the house of Pharisee, for the Pharisee is hosting Jesus for a meal. The woman begins to wash his feet, anoint his feet with perfume, kiss them and dry it with her hair. At first it all seems clear; the woman is lost. But as we reflect more on the scandal of the scene, we are forced to realize that it is not her who is truly lost. Based on Luke 7:36-50.
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Whose Scandal is it Now?
April 7, 2019Fifth Sunday in Lent
It is a scandal!! A sinful woman -- uninvited -- comes to the house of Pharisee, for the Pharisee is hosting Jesus for a meal. The woman begins to wash his feet, anoint his feet with perfume, kiss them and dry it with her hair. At first it all seems clear; the woman is lost. But as we reflect more on the scandal of the scene, we are forced to realize that it is not her who is truly lost. Based on Luke 7:36-50.
It is a scandal!! A sinful woman -- uninvited -- comes to the house of Pharisee, for the Pharisee is hosting Jesus for a meal. The woman begins to wash his feet, anoint his feet with perfume, kiss them and dry it with her hair. At first it all seems clear; the woman is lost. But as we reflect more on the scandal of the scene, we are forced to realize that it is not her who is truly lost. Based on Luke 7:36-50.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Acceptance and Rejection
March 24, 2019Fourth Sunday in Lent
At first, the younger and elder son of the father seem so different. Yet both have a tremendous need and yearning for the acceptance of the father. In our lives we hunger for acceptance from our parents and from our children. So often these loving relationships live with the reality of rejection. And so we come, hungry for an acceptance that find only in our relationship with our heavenly parent, Our Father. Based on Luke 15:11-32
At first, the younger and elder son of the father seem so different. Yet both have a tremendous need and yearning for the acceptance of the father. In our lives we hunger for acceptance from our parents and from our children. So often these loving relationships live with the reality of rejection. And so we come, hungry for an acceptance that find only in our relationship with our heavenly parent, Our Father. Based on Luke 15:11-32
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Lost in our own home
March 24, 2019Second Sunday in Lent
The coin is lost in its own home. Sometimes we can find ourselves lost, not in the wilderness, not far away from where we should be, but in our very own homes. Pastor Rob explores what it means to be lost in our home and how God is at work in these seasons of life.
The coin is lost in its own home. Sometimes we can find ourselves lost, not in the wilderness, not far away from where we should be, but in our very own homes. Pastor Rob explores what it means to be lost in our home and how God is at work in these seasons of life.
That person did that?
March 17, 2019Second Sunday in Lent
"I can't believe that person did THAT!" How often in life are we surprised and disappointed to learn of a moral failing of a friend (or even famous person). Pastor Rob unpacks how easy it is for us, like sheep, to go astray, going on paths that lead us to terrible decisions. The good news is that we have a shepherd who finds, forgiveness and enfolds us back into his flock. Based on Luke 15:1-7
"I can't believe that person did THAT!" How often in life are we surprised and disappointed to learn of a moral failing of a friend (or even famous person). Pastor Rob unpacks how easy it is for us, like sheep, to go astray, going on paths that lead us to terrible decisions. The good news is that we have a shepherd who finds, forgiveness and enfolds us back into his flock. Based on Luke 15:1-7
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Every meal is worship
March 10, 2019First Sunday in Lent
"One does not live by bread alone" responds Jesus to the first temptation of the devil to turn stones into bread. In our culture today, we often fall prey to the temptation to think that we only need physical and not spiritual nourishment! Pastor Rob explores Scripture to show how every meal in the Bible is, in many ways, a mini-worship service. How can our meals this lent become a time, not just of physical nourishment, but also of being renewed spiritually by God? Based on Luke 4:1-13
"One does not live by bread alone" responds Jesus to the first temptation of the devil to turn stones into bread. In our culture today, we often fall prey to the temptation to think that we only need physical and not spiritual nourishment! Pastor Rob explores Scripture to show how every meal in the Bible is, in many ways, a mini-worship service. How can our meals this lent become a time, not just of physical nourishment, but also of being renewed spiritually by God? Based on Luke 4:1-13
The Stop Sign Sermon
March 3, 2019Transfiguration Sunday
Jesus offers his disciples the ultimate mountain top experience -- the in-breaking of God's love and light in this world. The disciples wants to stay at the top of the mountain.
But Jesus commands them to come down the mountain. We are called to live our lives in the real world, where God's presence is a bit more ambiguous.
So how can we see God's presence in the every-day? Pastor Rob offers Baptism and the stop sign as a reminder for us of God's work in our lives.
Based on Luke 9:28-36
Jesus offers his disciples the ultimate mountain top experience -- the in-breaking of God's love and light in this world. The disciples wants to stay at the top of the mountain.
But Jesus commands them to come down the mountain. We are called to live our lives in the real world, where God's presence is a bit more ambiguous.
So how can we see God's presence in the every-day? Pastor Rob offers Baptism and the stop sign as a reminder for us of God's work in our lives.
Based on Luke 9:28-36
Love your enemies
February 24, 2019
Love your enemies. Sounds wonderful -- but it is possible? Reflecting on the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers (Genesis 45), Pastor Rob shares about how might actually be able to do this. Bottom line is that loving enemies is act of profound strength, strength that can only come from God's mercy.
Love your enemies. Sounds wonderful -- but it is possible? Reflecting on the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers (Genesis 45), Pastor Rob shares about how might actually be able to do this. Bottom line is that loving enemies is act of profound strength, strength that can only come from God's mercy.
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