Tag Archives: Fear

14Apr/24

Children of God

April 14, 2024SermonsBaptism, Beloved Community, Disciples, Discipleship, Faith in Action, Fear, God, Grace, Hate, Identity, Jesus, Love, Loving Neighbor, RacismMichael

Our New Testament reading today begins with the words, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” Through our baptism, we have been made a part of a heavenly family: we have been adopted into the family of God. And, as Children of God, we have now inherited all the benefits that are due to those who look to God as a parent, and Christ as a brother. We are no longer just Americans, or Chinese, Brazilian or Latvian, German or Canadian. We are first, and foremost, citizens of the New Jerusalem, citizens of heaven, the Holy City of God. We are children of a family that transcends time and space, race and ethnicity, boundaries and borders.

31Mar/24

What Are You Looking For?

March 31, 2024SermonsCross, Easter, Faith, Fear, God, Gods Will, Jesus, Love, Miracles, Resurrection, Sin, Son of GodMichael

Imagine the amount of fear and dread that the disciples would be facing when they realized that Jesus’ body was missing.

Imagine the questions that must have come through their minds at first with the most obvious one being: Did we come to the right tomb?

First they question themselves, and then, in anger, they question others.

23Oct/23

Live a Little

October 23, 2023Daily Office ReflectionsAbundant Life, Eternal Life, Faith, Fear, Jesus, Newness, Resurrection, SinMichael

And so, Paul is admonishing believers in Corinth for living with the same mindset: “This life is all we have, so let’s live a little! We aren’t going to be resurrected, so let’s make this life all that it should be!” And, because of this mindset, they were spending time with those of “bad company,” which was clearly corrupting their morals. The rend result was that the witness of their faith in Christ was indistinguishable from those with whom they were spending time.

20Oct/23

Seeing the Unseen

October 20, 2023Memory Lane, SpiritualityAnxiety, Discernment, Doubt, Faith, Faith in Action, Fear, God, PeaceMichael

I am gifted with a great imagination, and an analytical mind, and getting out of the boat, like Peter, to walk on the water toward a promise God has given me, makes me realize just how big those waves of doubt and uncertainty can be. Like a heads up display, I see every possible scenario, both good and bad, with its probability firmly floating above the wave, either granting hope, or threatening impending doom.

06Oct/23

The Way Home

October 6, 2023Random Thoughts, Social Commentary, SpiritualityAnxiety, Beauty, Chaos, Fear, Religion, Self Worth, Self-Acceptance, Self-Examination, Spiritual Growth, SpiritualityMichael

So, to me, for someone to say that they are “spiritual, but not religious,” means that they are saying something to the effect of “I’m a human being.”

Of course, I’m being deliberately obtuse with my own question, because what people generally want to convey with that statement is that they simply do not subscribe to any form of organized religion, and prefer to find their own method of making sense of the world; that they do not find any meaning in the structures others have created, but prefer to create their own order within the chaos.

25Aug/23

Two Lies and a Truth

August 25, 2023Social CommentaryFaith in Action, Fear, Judgment, Love, Pride, Self-Examination, Sin, TransformationMichael

Instead of responding to their question, Jesus begins to write in the dirt, and finally says, “Let anyone of you here who is without sin, throw the first stone at her.” And then he keeps writing.

Slowly, one by one, from the oldest first to the younger, all begin to walk away.

25May/22

Boasting about the Cross

May 25, 2022A Slow Walk Through the Bible, Galatians, New Testament BooksCross, Crucifixion, Faith in Action, Fear, God, Jesus, PaulMichael

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you toRead More…

23May/22

Understanding

May 23, 2022A Slow Walk Through the Bible, Galatians, New Testament BooksFaith in Action, Fear, Gentleness, God, Judgment, Self-Examination, Sin, UnderstandingMichael

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are notRead More…

22May/22

Duct Tape and Dwelling Spaces

May 22, 2022SermonsFaith, Faith in Action, Fear, God, Hate, Hatred, Love, Self-Acceptance, Self-Examination, Self-Importance, Sin, TransformationMichael

There can never be a beloved community – a community that includes all God’s children regardless of any self-imposed differences to keep ourselves apart – there can be no peace, no living together in harmony, unless there is forgiveness and understanding.

17May/22

Do Not Heap Up Empty Phrases

May 17, 2022Daily Office ReflectionsFaith in Action, Fear, Peace, Prayer, Self-Examination, Self-Justification, SinMichael

“Thoughts and prayers.” If ever there was a heaping up of empty phrases, these three words after every major mass shooting in this country would win the prize for most overused phrase with the most under-whelming effect. “Thoughts and prayers” mean nothing when they do not move people to affect real and lasting change.