Relating, Creating, Transforming
Matthew 25:1-13 Question: in your experience, what is the most difficult thing to wait for? Today’s parable story in Matthew is a story about waiting. But admittedly, it’s a weird story, and its characters seem outdated. We’re not really used to hearing about virgins or bridesmaids ushering a groom to his wedding. First century marriage […]
Read MoreMatthew 5:1-12 NRSV Halloween is a time of year that brings back many memories for people. And if you are one of those who gives out candy to kids who come to your door, then probably every year you remember when you dressed up and carried a bag that would eventually fill up with a […]
Read MoreExodus 3:1-7; 11-15 Friday marked the beginning of the Ganesha Festival for Hindus around the world. Ganesh Chaturthi festival honors Lord Ganesh[a], the form or deity that represents intellect and wisdom. The son of goddess Parvati, Ganesh is identified by his elephant head. The festival is 10 days of music, drums, prayers, dancing, and food. […]
Read MoreMatthew 16:13-20 I’ve been reading Bart Ehrman’s book, How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee, over the last few months. I’m taking my time. It is a book that I think people who identify as Christians should most certainly read. It took Ehrman, a NT scholar, eight years to research […]
Read MoreMatthew 15:10-28 This week I was taking with a guy I know who works in a store that I shop in frequently. He and I always have funny or interesting conversations. This time, we were joking about his nickname and his favorite superhero, and then, he told me an unexpected story that I will now […]
Read MoreMatthew 14:13-21 MIRACLE. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary: 1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs 2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment Not sure what you consider to be a miracle. Does it have to be something religious—something related to a god or gods? Does it have to be […]
Read MoreJohn 17:1-11 Grab a dictionary—or more likely—google it. The word unity. Here’s the definition: the state of being one; oneness. 2. a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one. 3. oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement. And now, let me tell you a […]
Read MoreLuke 24:13-35 Watch this Israeli filmmaker walking forward, yet backwards…. This creative illusion is an example of two things: How what we see can play tricks on us [depending on our conditioning] Walking forward, even when it’s actually walking backward…is moving. Look, if any of us are healthy enough to walk—we should walk, and as […]
Read MoreJohn 4:5-26 What are some specific places or activities that cause you to feel the presence of G-d? Where or when is God especially absent from you? Where do we think that God or the Divine or the Great Spirit or the Eternal Consciousness is? Here? [Sikh Gurdwara] Or here? [Hindu deities] Or here? […]
Read MoreMatthew 5:38-48 Question for the audience: How do you define perfection? If you are a student, think back to a time when you prepared that bit of homework so carefully. You worked very hard, you spent lots of time on it—you felt good about it. When you turned in your work to the teacher, you […]
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