Weekly Word

I'm feeling very ambivalent about this photo of me playing laser tag. Because I am a pacifist follower of Jesus and yet feel the appeal of weapons in movies. What would it have been like if Luke would have given in to Darth Vader at their first encounter? Instead of fighting, struggling, and suffering through not one, not two, but three feature length movies, until finally destroying the emperor and almost killing his own father? What if the villains and heroes of our time and place would come together, be honest, and instead of investigating and denying would use their resources and talents for good? Could corrupt politicians, abusive priests, or totalitarian nations change their ways, admit their wrongs, and make amends? And, would we forgive them? Word Jesus proposes a life based on virtues that are counter-intuitive. Virtues like forgiveness, tolerance and charity. Jesus commends to his disciples in the sermon on the plain: “Do not judge, and you will not be judg...

The Matrix movies explored religious themes like alternate realities or salvation through a sacrificial hero. I like watching movies that entertain me, and touch on religious themes. For example Star Wars, the Matrix, or Gravity because I like Science Fiction, and also because they explore the reality of the supernatural while entertaining me. Do you remember the TV show “Touched by an Angel”? According to the late author Phyllis Tickle, it brought religion to TV and made faith accessible to a wider audience. It also showed that there is a desire for getting in touch with the divine in our lives. Word People flocked to Jesus to hear him and touch him. They came to hear him, and touch him to access his power that healed people. Getting in touch with Jesus shows us and connects us with the God’s goodness, possibility of life in harmony, and way to be blessed. Jesus declared that life with God transcends even adversity: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom ...

Jesus may not call you on the phone. But he calls you to be his follower and messenger just the same. My call from Jesus came at a summer camp. I heard Jesus call me to follow him in life and service, through counselors who took God’s call to share faith seriously. When Jesus calls you to live with him, to share the good news for him, and to die for him, what’s your decision, how will you answer? Word Most Christians don’t think of themselves as capable of seeing, hearing, and doing what great people of the Bible did. You just may not feel as equipped to know, or be convincing, or passionate enough for bringing others to Christ like the prophets or apostles. It is really unfortunate, a scandal, and tragedy, when Christians feel that there’s only a few special people who are called, or able to answer to call to serve God. We forget that we are no different than the likes of Isaiah, Peter or Paul. To the contrary, their life, faith, and witness to others serve as example...

This is a childhood photo of myself. I learned about love from my parents. God wants everyone to share love with others. Do you realize that you are commissioned to be God’s messenger of good news, and an instrument for sharing the experience of love? Word The prophet Jeremiah is told there are no excuses not to spread God’s message of love, “I appointed you a prophet to the nations ...” And, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you ...” That is, everyone is chosen to speak and show love to everyone. Jesus announced his mission to bring good news of God’s life changing love. But he did not stop there. He went on to renew people’s lives by setting them free from guilt of sins, suffering with disease, and loneliness from exclusion. Connection Church experience can be comforting like a cozy quilt. You got your friends, the familiar words and hymns of worship, or the comfort that comes from the feel and look of the place. But God wants o...

A Hebrew Bible in the Jewish Museum in Fürth, Germany. God's Word continues to guide and delight us. I know myself that it’s not easy to pay attention to a reading in worship, let alone four, and then take in fully what that means for me. It’s easy for me to get distracted. Most of it needs explanation. Word When visiting his hometown, Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah (61:1) during worship in the synagogue. Then he began to say: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21) Well, let that sink in. It became Jesus’ mission statement. Luke tells us that Luke says that Jesus’ audience was first amazed. But then they dismissed Jesus, and with him the possibility that God could have sent the anointed Savior to fulfill God’s promises for them. Connection What’s our reaction? Do we hear it as a quaint story? Some may doubt Jesus or his announcement. Or you might say Jesus fulfilled God’s Word, but only in spiritual sense. But what if God’s Word i...

Do you enjoy receiving and giving presents? Even our cat loves gift packages. Who doesn’t like gifts ? Gifts for Christmas, birthday, anniversary, valentine’s, vacation souvenir, or just because. God’s glory that appeared with the gift of Jesus on Christmas. It continued to be shown by a star, at Jesus’ baptism, and at a wedding where Jesus showed that he is the Son of God and presents us with the gift of abundant life. Word By turning water into wine, Jesus shared the first public sign of God’s abundant gift of grace at a wedding. The wedding would become a sign of celebrating God’s generous goodness. And the wine a sign of Jesus’ gift of his life through gracious forgiveness. As it says in Psalm 36: “They feast upon the abundance of your house ...” (Ps. 36:8) God has a well that pours out live for us, overflowing with lovingkindness and good things for all people. Connection The house of the Lord is filled with abundance. God in Jesus shares abundant gifts for ...

Winter weather turns water to snow and ice. But God's love in baptism melts hearts. Baptism is not just a one time event but the beginning of a new life. The baptism of Jesus is God’s declaration that Jesus is our Savior at his baptism by John in the Jordan river. That baptism provides two affirmations. Regardless whether or not we have a personal memory, we should remember and celebrate God’s two affirmations we share with Jesus. Word 1. The first is: We are God’s beloved children. Just as God spoke to Jesus and all who saw his baptism, God declared to you at your baptism: “You are my ... Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) 2. The second is: We are sent like Jesus. Because, Jesus is confirmed as God’s personal messenger with the mission to share God’s love with everyone. And so, at our baptisms, you and I also received a call to bring God’s love to others in person. Connection Jesus manifest God’s presence in human form, and revealing God’s love ...