Down by the riverside I laid my burdens down and I'm travelin' light
Posted in Sermon Notes on Sep 29th, 2010
Flourishing Colossians 1:1-14, NRSV Reflections Fruitfulness is an image of overflowing abundance growing out of generosity – a generosity of heart as well as possessions. It is a community forming itself around Jesus, refusing to let enemies be enemies and debtors be debtors.— Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat Flourishing: bearing fruits “When you don’t have […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Sep 29th, 2010
Creating a Culture of Grace Luke 6:37-42, NRSV Reflections Not long ago, I was asked by a college student how I could stand to go to church, how I could stand the hypocrisy of Christians. I had one of my rare inspirations, when I know the right thing to say, and I replied, “The only […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Sep 28th, 2010
The Primacy of Community John 17:1-3, 20-26, NRSV Reflections Love cannot exist in isolation: away from others, love bloats into pride. Grace cannot be received privately: cut off from others, it is perverted into greed. Hope cannot develop in solitude: separated from the community, it goes to seed in the form of fantasies. No gift, […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Sep 8th, 2010
Seeking the Shalom of the City Jeremiah 29:4-14, NRSV Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Sep 8th, 2010
Seeking Shalom Philippians 4:6-9, NRSV Reflections The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Old Testament prophets called shalom. We call it peace, but it means far more than mere peace of mind or cease-fire among enemies. In the Bible shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and […]
Traveling Light Relay
Down by the riverside I laid my burdens down and I'm travelin' light