In response to the invitation last Sunday to love our neighbors in practical ways, today we’re going to try something a little bit different and downright political.

Today we’re going to spend a moment reading and rereading a prayer from the book of Psalms.

These were the opening words of Jesus’s ministry in the book of Luke. Then he said, “These words are fulfilled today in your hearing.” That basically means, “This is what I’ve come to do.”

On Sunday, a practice was shared during the service that felt very timely and quite essential.

Jesus teaches us to pray “May your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). So what does God’s kingdom look like, and what might it look like for it to come to earth?

The first line of the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father is all about being grounded.

When reflecting on toxic relationships, I believe it to be about callousness and injustice.

Power and love were meant to go together.

Our last series was about the fruit of the Spirit and our new series is about politics. Perhaps this thoughtful reflection from Dave Neumann might help us tie them together….

Katy’s theme verse from the Camino was “I will sing a new song to Yahweh” (Psalm 40:3).

Often in the Psalms you hear the authors of these prayers talking to themselves.

The Rest Is Resistance framework also does not believe in the toxic idea that we are resting to recharge and rejuvenate so we can be prepared to give more output to capitalism.

In a world that values strength, it’s surprising to see an all-powerful God choose to be known for tenderness. 

What if we didn’t have to hit ourselves in the head with a big stick - or a shaming thought - to get ourselves to change...

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God

Matthew 5:9 

Mark 4:39 - Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 

The Christian idea of peace takes its inspiration from shalom, the Hebrew word for peace in the Old Testament that includes ideas of completeness and well-being.

“God created the world in a web of relationships that overflowed with forceful goodness.” - Lisa Sharon Harper

Sometimes people try to sugarcoat hard truths. Not today!