Easter 6, 2022
“Do you want to be made well? Jesus asks a simple but ultimately challenging question.
The reply to Jesus reveals the person does not want to be made well, but in fact, for some reason are okay with the dysfunction in their life.
How does Jesus respond? By shaming the man? No — with something more powerful!
Easter 5 (May 15, 2022)
“Where do you experience God?” It is a simple question that we feel that we should be able to answer as faithful questions. Yet it is surprisingly difficult to give a confident answer. A reflection on experiencing God doing churchy things…and not-so-churchy things! Based on John 13:31-35 as well as Acts 11.
The picture is from a website entitled Had any surprises lately
It turns out that people of sincere faith can come to different conclusions. This fact can lead some to arrogant confidence: I am right, you are wrong. In response to this, others succumb to cynicism, rejecting the whole religious life.
Pastor Rob offers that there is another alternative – the way of the cross, the way that seeks to follow Jesus’ teachings…but always with a large dose of humility that we might be wrong!
Easter 3 (May 1, 2022)
Are you a medical missionary? Most of us would say no. However, Pastor Rob looks at the story of Ananias (Acts 9:1-20) and the medical missionaries we support at St. Paul (The Swanson family) and finally suggests that we are
a) sent by Jesus
b) out of our comfort zones
c) to bring healing in Jesus’ name
And that is the work of a medical missionary!
Easter 2022 (April 17, 2022)
In a world swimming with negativity, we hunger for a message of positivity. Turns out though, we need more than a message of positivity, we need the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. For in this story, we can find acknowledgement of our and the world’s sorrows AND hope for God’s Kingdom to break into our lives!
The picture is from our early service as the children spell Alleluia!
April 10, 2022
“Why am I here”? Pastor Rob reflects on our purpose in life by looking — of all places — at the donkey in the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Where do you sense God calling you — claiming a need for your heart and your gifts? And where in your life do you find yourself calling out, proclaiming “Lord, I need you!”
The image is from the “QuoteFancy” website.
Lent 5 (April 3, 2022)
Do you believe in miracles? I reflect on the miracles of Abraham’s journey. I argue the biggest miracle is that God chooses to be faithful and love them, in spite of all they do. A reminder that in our lives, God shows up too!
The image is from my bible, where he keeps the four leaf clover from the day of his grandmother’s funeral.
