The conclusion to the flood story addresses a variety of topics, including what we eat and how we eat it, capital punishment, and the connection of all life on earth. It does not specifically address Big Macs, whether to execute by firing squad or electric chair, or the importance of talking to your plants.
Connections 05.28.2023: Receive the Holy Spirit
May 21, 2023 by
Our lesson title, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” comes from John 20:22, when Jesus breathes on his frightened disciples and blesses them with a new power that will remain even after he is no longer physically present.
Holy Whispers
January 10, 2023 by
I love hearing whispers—secrets for my ears only, messages so extraordinary they cannot be spoken out loud.
Holy Whispers
October 18, 2022 by
I love hearing whispers—secrets for my ears only, messages so extraordinary they cannot be spoken out loud. I love the whispers I have heard in my life that I could not explain.
Connections 06.05.2022: The Holy Spirit
May 29, 2022 by
As a young child in church, I heard a lot of talk about the Holy Spirit. Sometimes this mysterious figure was called the “Holy Ghost,” making it more mysterious and even a little scary.
A Holy Threshold
April 20, 2022 by
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? The only human with clean hands and a pure heart will, and he will never lift up his soul to what is false.
Spiritual Growth: Polishing the Cup or Growing in Love?
October 5, 2021 by
People enter into the process of spiritual direction for many reasons, and sometimes it takes time and deep listening for me to discern the motivation. “Remember,” a mentor once cautioned, “the real director is the Holy Spirit. Our job is to discern the direction the Holy Spirit is wanting to guide the directee and cooperate with that.”
Crossroads: Holy, Holy, Holy
May 31, 2021 by
God is different from everything else in our universe. He is the Creator, and the only One who is holy. I am most reminded of God’s holiness during communion and during Holy week.
Connections 02.23.2020: Holy Imagination
February 16, 2020 by
Our high school English teacher Mrs. Powers was teaching us about similes and metaphors. “’The baby is like a rose,’” she said, “is a simile.”
Formations 02.17.2019: You Shall Be Holy
February 10, 2019 by
This week’s text raises our attention to holiness. In the process, I’ve noticed two questions I’ve been struggling with lately—who are we, and what does it mean? As Moses relays these codes for holiness, he begins with identity.
The Holy, Hard Things
August 21, 2018 by
I have had the honor of having two Papas on this earth, my father and grandfather. Both were men who loved God, sharing God’s good news every opportunity they had.
Formations 09.18.2016: Holiness
September 11, 2016 by
They told us to find something holy. We went up and took the Bible off the lectern in the fellowship hall and brought it back to the table. That wasn’t it.
Crossroads: Palm Sunday
March 21, 2016 by
I love celebrations. In particular, I love birthdays. I love finding the perfect present and celebrating who that person is. I love my birthday as well, but it’s always a little odd to me.
Formations 10.19.2014: A Holy and Pleasing Sacrifice
October 12, 2014 by
There is a good bit of practical advice in Romans 12:1-8 about the nature of discipleship. We can see the practical side of this passage if, after every major section, we ask how what Paul says helps us do what he said just before.