Matthew 5:43-45; 48 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust… 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Reflection: What a strange kingdom, this Kingdom of God! Nothing is meant to be [...]

Matthew 13:31-32 Jesus told another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and planted in his field. It’s the smallest of all seeds. But when it’s grown, it’s the largest of all vegetable plants. It becomes a tree so that the birds in the sky come and nest in its branches.” Reflection: I like this parable – it paints a picture of the beautiful contradiction that is the Kingdom of Heaven. It can be big and small. There’s another mustard seed reference later in Matthew 17 where Jesus says, “I assure you [...]

1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” Reflection: I was a 26-year-old straight, married man when I finished Gilmore Girls. Yes, that Gilmore Girls, the early 2000’s sitcom. My wife said she loved the show and Netflix was coming out with a long-awaited follow-up season, and we have a rule in my home that [...]

John 17:20-26 (NRSV) 20 "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that [...]

Luke 12:32 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Reflection: I’ve got news, and it’s really good news. God loves you. In fact, God loves you very much- more than you imagine. One of the ways that God shows us his love is by telling us not to be afraid. In fact, there are more scriptures addressing fear than any other; 365 to be precise- one for every day of the year. So we should get that, right? “Worry, like a rocking chair, will give you something to [...]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Reflection: Last year at Thanksgiving, I wrote this in my journal: “The thing I’m most grateful for this year is normalcy. We’re not grieving a loss, there are no secrets, no skeletons; it’s just a plain Jane Thanksgiving. I think people (me more than anyone) scoff at normalcy when, in fact, it’s the biggest blessing. I’ve really been trying [...]

Psalm 130 I cry out to you from the depths, Lord— 2 my Lord, listen to my voice!     Let your ears pay close attention to my request for mercy! 3 If you kept track of sins, Lord—     my Lord, who would stand a chance? 4 But forgiveness is with you—     that’s why you are honored. 5 I hope, Lord. My whole being hopes,     and I wait for God’s promise. 6 My whole being waits for my Lord—     more than the night watch waits for morning;     yes, more than the night watch waits for morning! 7 Israel, wait for the [...]

Isaiah 40: 29-31 (NIV) 29 He gives strength to the weary     and increases the power of the weak. 30  Even youths grow tired and weary,     and young men stumble and fall; 31  but those who hope in the Lord     will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;     they will run and not grow weary,     they will walk and not be faint. Reflection: During Lent this year, my girlfriends and I took turns sending out a different Bible verse each morning to each other. It was a way to stay connected during the beginning of the pandemic [...]

Luke 17:20-21 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” Reflection: What does the kingdom of God look like? Revelation describes a place where “mourning, and crying, and pain will be no more.” (NRSV) Seems like a good place to start: the kingdom of God is a place of joy, peace, and love - no [...]

Psalm 91:1-16 (NIV) 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the [...]