Scripture - Mark 13:24-37 We are waiting, God. We are waiting to hear your word. We are waiting to sense your presence. Open our hearts, that we may be renewed by your grace & transformed by your love. Amen. Reread 13: 24-26. A few weeks ago, I went to visit a clergy friend of mine. He wanted to show me the new fellowship hall that is under construction where he serves & then we went into the church, where a curious thing sat on the altar. It was a fat white candle sitting in

Scripture - Matthew 25:14-30 This is the third in a series of judgment parables. It focuses not on the accountability of church leaders as does the first (parable of the slave left in charge), nor on the general responsibilities of ordinary Christians as does the second (last week’s parable of the 10 virgins). Today’s focus is on the obligations of those who have been given special gifts. A s with the first 2 parables, we can assume that several of these details are allegoric

Scripture - Matthew 25:1-13 Listen for the Word of God & keep your lamps lit. Listen, hear, receive, & choose to let God in. Ah, today’s text. It comes near both the end of Jesus’ ministry & of Matthew’s Gospel. To understand Matthew 25, we have to consider chapter 24. Jesus & the disciples have finally arrived in Jerusalem. As they are leaving the temple, the disciples go to call Jesus’ attention to the temple’s buildings. Jesus responds by telling them that the temple i

Scripture - 1 John 3:1-3 Today is All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day is usually overshadowed by the day right before it: Halloween. Halloween has been so commercialized that its original meaning & anticipation of All Saints’ Day has been lost. Halloween has deteriorated into another holiday in western culture where stores sell themed candy, children expect things handed to them for free, & adults feel the pressure for their child to have a “Pinterest perfect” costume. All Sa