Cross Encounters

Hugs are special – to receive and to share – and the empty tomb of Jesus is God reaching out to hug all people.

Such confession is one of the most important ingredients in all growing relationships.

No matter the relentless pressure of life or the ’hard knocks’ that come, Christians can be resilient not because God waves a magic wand but because God broke the ’quick fix stick’ into a cross.

Jesus calls us to him in the Divine Service and then sends us into the world to serve. We often go out together but should we?

Listening to a psychology podcast became a springboard for appreciating God’s Word, meditation, prayer, Christian consolation, and the perspective they bring.

The songs are wonderful and the messages are helpful!

Especially when the world becomes fearful, we wonder what to do. How we should behave, however, is a daily question that shouldn’t be ignored. Christians should definitely know their answer.

Reflections on facing tough situations and yes Jesus is still with us in all circumstances.

I do. I hope you do too.

HO’OPONOPONO?? Yes, I thought so too! Yet it’s amazing how learning a word can take us on a journey. That’s even more so with the Word made flesh!

The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II commences on 6th February and offers us a milestone to reflect on authority. What should we do with power and authority?

There is always movement in living – and in this world – growing or declining. The Triune God is always coming towards us. How people move in response – towards or away – is very much about what they know of this Triune God.

How do we know anything? Through experience, research, and trust. And that’s also true about Jesus. He is not the fabrication often claimed but a living and personal truth to be encountered.

The question of the possibility of life outside our planet is a journey in our increasing knowledge while the message of a cross and empty tomb offers new life and a journey that lasts for ever. Both journeys are exciting!

How long is a long time? The answers vary. How wonderful to hear that God loves us all the time!

Learning to walk is an adventure – just as walking can lead us to new horizons. Is that why walking is a good metaphor about Christian discipleship?

What do we say in our Christmas letters? Something about family and the year no doubt. And Christmas itself reminds us that God is with us as well – but often in the background, helping, blessing. In fact at Christmas, he can be easy to miss!

There’s always so much to learn in our wonderful world - and that includes paradoxes. The more we learn there is more to learn! And that includes the story of Jesus and Advent where the God we don’t see or hear keeps coming to us to help and bless us.

What are yours? What are God’s? How and why might they mix?

We appreciate being in the same room with people and also, particularly since the pandemic arrived, being online. Yet what hasn’t changed is the deep connectedness one feels when someone really listens. Listening - proper listening - is a most gracious act.

Christian hope inspires both action and security – a wonderful way to live.

We live our moments determined by our context. Our context also determines what we think about God and how we behave. People think they understand the ’God context’ - until they meet Jesus who turns everything upside down!

Yes, there is a First Article of the Apostles’ Creed!

Depressive disorders and mental illness need to come out into the light more.

The Lutheran Reformation is a 16th century event which still impacts today as our spiritual disaster response. Will we respond?