Glorious Diversity – November 18, 2018

“Then God scattered them from there all over the world. And they had to quit building the city. That’s how it came to be called Babel, because there God turned their language into “babble.” From there God scattered them all over the world.” (Genesis 11:9)

Creation Spirituality rejoices in and courageously honors the rich diversity within the Cosmos which is expressed in every individual and embodies multiple cultures, religions, and ancestral traditions. Creation is rife with theme and variation and yet fear has driven us to try to tame, label and homogenize it. What do we lose when we privilege dominant voices and limit perspectives?  Diversity is another name for God and should be celebrated!

Sacred Creative Vocation – November 11, 2018

Then I heard the Lord’s voice saying, “Whom should I send, and who will go for us?” I said, “I’m here; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

Made in the image of the Creator, every one of us carries within us the capacity to be a mystic, to be creative, to be visionary, and to be an agent for positive change. It is our responsibility to say “here I am, send me” and to cultivate our capacity to benefit the earth and all it’s creatures. What are we creating in this world that will cause positive ripples into the future?

The Paths of Life – November 4, 2018

“You changed my mourning into dancing. You took off my funeral clothes and dressed me up in joy so that my whole being might sing praises to you and never stop. Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.” (Psalm 30:11-12)

The spiritual journey can be understood as a dance moving in and out of four mystical paths, each with their own gifts: awe and wonder; letting go; creativity; compassion and justice. These “cycles of life” are born out of the seasons of the planet and remind us that there is a time for everything and that fluctuations of the spirit are part of being human. Can we accept the Holy invitation to move fully into all the rhythms of life?

Spirit of Compassion – October 28, 2018

Spirit of Compassion – October 28, 201

Jesus said, “The first [commandment] in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” Mark 12: 29-31)

It is through the work of spiritual practice that we move beyond fear into compassion and discover our deep and true selves. Engaging in spiritual practices–whether that looks typically religious (like praying) or not (like walking) have intentionality in common. They draw us closer to the Creator and who we were created to be–free and compassionate beings. What practices in your life draw you closer to your true essence and closer to compassion for others?

Creation as Blessing – October 21, 2018

Creation as Blessing

In the beginning God created… and saw that it was good. (Genesis 1: 29…24)

The Universe, and all life within it, is fundamentally a blessing, fundamentally good, and created to flourish–including us. This doesn’t prevent hardship and difficulties, but it does strengthen us as we go through tough times. It allows us to deepen in faith and spirituality without fear. Life in all its joys and struggles is a blessing–which means, it is something worth sharing. How might moving through our days with an eye for recognizing goodness and blessing transform our experience of life?

What if…we do something extraordinary? – October 14, 2018

What if…we do something extraordinary?

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way. Such generosity produces thanksgiving to God through us. Your ministry of this service to God’s people isn’t only fully meeting their needs but it is also multiplying in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9: 11-12)

Synopsis: Our generosity is multiplied when we look at enlarging our capacity and stretching our commitment, expanding our influence as we give constant thanksgiving to God. We give not just to meet needs, but to do something extraordinary. We challenge the congregation to extravagant generosity and to bring their pledge cards next Sunday.

What if…we have everything we need because we seek God first? – October 7, 2018

What if…we have everything we need because we seek God first?

Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9: 7-9)

Understanding the principles of Proactive Generosity and Tithing guides us in the way we give.  Looking at what it’s not (a tax, the leftovers, a bribe, a fundraiser for the Church, an option) and looking at what it is (the first tenth, God’s plan of provision for God’s people, given freely, regular, Worship, a test, a way that God blesses us) we become more aware of God’s role in our giving.

What if…we prepare ourselves for extravagant giving? – September 30, 2018

What if…we prepare ourselves for extravagant giving?

But I’m sending the brothers so that our bragging about you in this case won’t be empty words, and so that you can be prepared, just as I keep telling them you will be. (2 Corinthians 9: 3)

What if the “what if” question wasn’t as much about fear of not having enough, but about possibility for truly extravagant giving? Possibility is always just a turn away from developing a process that can truly make things happen.  When we humble ourselves and pray, we begin preparing for the extravagant way God will be at work among us.

The Rest of the Story – September 23, 2018

The Rest of the Story – September 23, 2018

But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)

Luke reported, in vivid stories like these, that the Holy Spirit worked through Peter and John to offer Jesus’ healing to anyone who needed it. Peter made the healing of the crippled man another occasion to preach Jesus’ power. His subsequent encounters with Cornelius, Paul, Tabitha and more showed that he remained faithful, yet flawed, as he simply proclaimed and followed the Savior he served. He wasn’t perfect, but he never stopped trying!

From Cowardice to Courage – September 16, 2018

That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. (John 21:7)

The fish and bread were ready, yet Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.” Why doesn’t Jesus just do everything for us, changing us into the people he wants us to be, but instead asks us to join our effort with his spiritual power? In what ways does his call for you to work with him to grow spiritually offer the best path to character development, so that you are still “you,” but a new you?