What Kind of House?
We are sensitive to any hint that what gave us comfort in the past might have to change for the future. The extreme reaction of Stephen’s listeners and his execution do not and cannot
Made Known
Guest preacher Caryne Eskridge continues the conversation about “re-membering” as a pair of shattered believers leaves Jerusalem on Easter afternoon. Scripture Readings bookletDownload (no transcript available)
Keep Talking
The finality of death leads us to avoid talking about it in a way that pushes back reality. On seeing the empty tomb the women re-membered Jesus’ words and concluded he was alive but
Recognition
A grand entrance does not presage an easy visit. The raucous demonstration touched off by Jesus’ arrival makes the knowledge he carries that much heavier. Recognizing Jesus on Palm Sunday gives us what we
Descendant
Our idea of who is welcome to be friends or family tends to place many on the outside. Jesus placing Zacchaeus not only on the inside but as a model of Abraham’s inheritance scandalizes
Extremes
If we are living somewhere in the vast middle of things the idea of very poor or very wealthy is something we seldom consider. This story reaches beyond our lived experience at both ends
Value
It’s a little unsettling to have something missing from a collection or a grouping but we learn to live with it. Jesus turns that thinking on its head with these stories that value finding
Third Day Story
The “third day story” is where nuance and detail and understanding are brought into a narrative. Jesus urges his followers to get past the breaking news and ground themselves in the ultimate purpose of
Them
You know who your neighbor is until adversity strikes. The Samaritan in the parable wins respect for his actual neighborliness even though he is one of “them.” The challenge of the Christian Way is
If You Want To Know
Our desire to have a holy or pure experience of God is punctuated by the clashing experience of real life. Being immersed in the light-cloud of God opened a window for the disciples to