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Monthly Archives: September 2016

Speak hope

25 Sep

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Author of life, speak hope into the darkness and impact the things that we think about. Remove our blind spots, so that we can find solidarity with all and not some. Compel us to realize that we are all just discovering God here even if it’s only just in pieces. Build and rebuild the trust in this community so that we can come together, find common ground, and find You.

You, O Lord, are the source of the strength that gives us hope. And this hope is what allows us to “stand up, take a breath, and tell our truth” (Dane Chalfin).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Posted by on September 25, 2016 in Conversations with God

 

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Faith isn’t stagnant

18 Sep

nola-shop

Author of Life, speak so that we can hear. Illuminate so that we can see that “our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring time” (Martin Luther). “Bring clarity to replace our confusion. Reveal possibilities to replace our pessimism” (Pr. James Phillips). Resurrect us from the graveyard of no expectations and the status quo. Instead, raise our expectations of ourselves, of each other and of this faith community so that we can share in the movement of the Holy Spirit, here on earth, as it is in heaven.

“When there is a mighty movement of God, no one can stop it” (Pr. James Phillips) and we need not fear, for “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the Love of God” (Romans 8:39). Faith isn’t stagnant. Faith moves. And as we move forward together, with God and with each other, let us seek Love. Let us seek Grace. Let us seek God in every divine expression.

 
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Posted by on September 18, 2016 in Conversations with God

 

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Don’t let us forget

11 Sep

 

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God of comfort, envelop us in Your truth. Stop us from pointing fingers and remind us that we are unified by our humanity.   Lead our hearts into Your presence. Forgive us when we forget You and each other. Instead, create a community of grace and action. Send us out there, outside of what is familiar, to the places that need grace the most, so that we can be part of building Your kingdom here in this place and in our hearts.

“When something bad happens, we have three choices: we let it define us, we let it destroy us, or we let it strengthen us,” (Frank Langela).   Strengthen us, O Lord, to see and hear the needs of Your people. So many lives that we need to see, remember and honor. Don’t let us ever forget.   Don’t let us forget.

 

 
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Posted by on September 11, 2016 in Conversations with God

 

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04 Sep

2 Corinthians 5.17

Guide us now, oh Great Redeemer, to a place of community with You and with each other. Engage us with a needy world, so that when we see each other, we see God in every expression. Equip us with the understanding that, “it doesn’t matter if we’re right, it matters if we are in relationship” (Pastor Leila Ortiz) with each other and with our Creator. Give us the strength to let go and let God, so that we can invite those who are thirsty and hungry for more than what this world can offer.

Other’s might laugh and gossip, but God knows and walks with each and everyone us. So let’s walk with each other, not against each other, and let’s do what God does; care about those that the world does not.

 

 

 
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Posted by on September 4, 2016 in Conversations with God

 

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A Brief Introduction to Law & Gospel

04 Sep

Lutheran Theology: An Online Journal

By Dr Hans Wiersma

There are some interesting words at the beginning of John’s Gospel—words that appear to drive a wedge between Moses and Jesus.  The words go like this:  “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17 NIV).  These words are noteworthy because of the implied converse:  Grace and truth do not come through Moses; the law was not given through Jesus Christ.  Distinctions like this one—telling the difference between Law and Grace—are the hallmark of the Lutheran understanding of, well, just about everything.

In 1525, Martin Luther preached a sermon about two different and distinct sermons.  At the beginning of his sermon, Luther explained how, in the Bible, God preaches only two public sermons—two sermons that all of the people can hear.  According to Luther, God’s first public sermon was on Mt. Sinai, when the people heard God give Moses…

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Posted by on September 4, 2016 in Uncategorized

 

Let us be the Church

03 Sep

Creator God, rebuild every good thing that has been destroyed. Teacher, call to us and draw us into Your story. Make us active players in Your narrative and in this community. Clear our eyes to see those who are not safe. Tear down the walls so that we can reach out to those living in the margins. Unbind us from fear so that we can be Your hands and feet. Meet us where our condemnation and our limitations collapse.  Meet us.

You invited us to Your table by taking the lowest place in ours. You humbled Yourself and gave Your life so that we could live. Give us the courage to receive the Holy Gospel and make us alive. Begin the healing now so that we can be the Church that invites all and sees all. Let us not leave this place as we came, but with changed hearts and minds that have seen and experienced the risen Lord. Let us be the Church again. Let us be the Church.

 
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Posted by on September 3, 2016 in Conversations with God, Reblog

 

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