christmas 2020: the right now message
Why did Jesus come to earth?
Jesus didn’t come to earth so individuals could get into heaven when they die.
His focus was much more immediate, much more collective, much more political.
thanksgiving 2020: the space between
Broken. That’s what we are. Isn’t it obvious?
The way we communicate is broken—it doesn’t work. We approach every interaction from the place of already knowing exactly what we think, deeply convinced that what we think is the only way that is right and true and good. Why should we listen to each other when we already know the answer?
where is God?
Where is God?
This question has been asked again and again down through history.
Maybe God is in a certain place, like a temple or high on a mountain.
Maybe God is with a certain people, like the rich or those who look like us.
Maybe God is at a certain time, like 10am on Sunday.
Maybe God is where certain rituals are done or certain beliefs are held.
two ways: the only choice that really makes a difference
From the movie Molly’s Game:
Douglas Downey:
Two roads emerged from the woods.
Do they explode? I dunno.
You like poetry?
Molly Bloom:
I did until a second ago.
we need a better question
Why.
It’s a simple, three-letter word. Packed with emotion.
It cries out for an answer to
pain
sickness
loss
betrayal
cycles of poverty
meaningless tragedy
struggle
loneliness
and fear.
you will be found
Here’s a great song to encourage you if/when you need it. The clip below is taken from James Corden’s late night show. He invited the original cast of Dear Evan Hansen to share a quarantine performance of “You Will Be Found.” So good.
for your glory
Here’s one from the amazing Tre McLaughlin. Dude can sing, play, arrange, and lead a singing group like nobody’s business! Listen to the unison on this.
are the mountains shrinking?
I can see the mountains from where I live. I love to look at the mountains on a clear evening, just after the sun has set behind them; they glow. They stand out so sharply against the sky that it seems as though you could prick your finger on them.
Sometimes the sky isn’t so clear. Sometimes the clouds roll in and hide the mountains to where you can’t even see them at all.