One word: Together We use this word in all kinds of ways… Sometimes it’s a happy word, “My friend from across town and I had lunch together the other day.” Sometimes it’s full of loss, “My spouse and I are not together anymore.” Sometimes it’s a word of hope, “We should have a get-together.” Sometimes … Continue reading Togetherness
Author: Chais
Goal Oriented
About a year or so ago, some friends and I, went to a ropes course. On site there were several courses at varying heights. The lowest challenges, called Exploration Courses were 10ft off the ground. The more difficult challenges, called Conqueror Courses were much higher, about 35ft high. I was excited to get on the … Continue reading Goal Oriented
Remain in Me
“Remain in me and I will remain in you.” These are Jesus’ words to his disciples as he prepares to be arrested. They are words of farewell but also of encouragement and comfort. For the last couple of years, the disciples have followed Jesus, learned from him, and depended on his guidance and wisdom. What … Continue reading Remain in Me
Entering the New Normal
I want to talk a little about congregational life post-pandemic. The reality is the pandemic changed things for congregations across the world. Believers have changed too; we are not the same people we were a year ago. We are living in a new-normal. No matter where you are on your faith journey you are probably … Continue reading Entering the New Normal
Giving the Beloved
https://youtu.be/iO1kSUlnLcc Hear the message that we are the Beloved of God. This is an idea that I learned from Henri Nouwen's sermons. Using Nouwen's idea, I share my own perspective on how we share that message with others. Being the beloved is not something we keep for ourselves, it is a gift we pass along … Continue reading Giving the Beloved
Understanding Jonah (Part 2)
“1 The LORD gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are. 3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. He went down to the … Continue reading Understanding Jonah (Part 2)
Understanding Jonah (Part 1)
Jonah has been the theme of Vacation Bible Schools for decades. The book has been the basis for coloring books, picture books, and children’s movies. Yet this story is not just a fun story about a big fish, it’s a meaningful parable that teaches a powerful lesson about the character of God. It is also … Continue reading Understanding Jonah (Part 1)
Gospel
Merry Christmas Everyone! It’ that time again when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ. Two gospels offer a narrative about Jesus’ birth, Matthew, and Luke. Mark and John omit the story to focus on other parts of the gospel story. This year I am rereading the Gospel of Mark and looking at its telling of … Continue reading Gospel
Tired Anyhow
I am tired of broken The ones I broke, The ones others broke Long broken Fast broken Short broken Slow broken I am weary of fixing Fixing things, myself Watching others fix things Long fixing Fast fixing Short fixing Slow fixing I am beat of nothing My nothingness Their nothingness Long nothing Fast … Continue reading Tired Anyhow
Uncertainty
One of the certain things about life is that life is full of uncertainty. Happily, as Christians, we do not navigate the uncertainty of life alone. We place our hope in an imminent and loving God who is reconciling the world through his son. The life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus is a testimony … Continue reading Uncertainty
