FaithIsland

Once a year, on a Wednesday, we mix ashes with oil. We light candles and confess to one another and to God that we have sinned by what we have done and what we have left undone. We tell the truth. We smear the ashes on our foreheads and together acknowledge the single reality upon which everyone agrees: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.” It’s the only thing we know for sure:...

You don't need a mountaintop or voice from the clouds or even Elijah and Moses showing up. Transfiguration Sunday is about how we don't need to "Climb to Glory" (sorry 10th Mountain Div) God's holiness came to dwell with us - in the valleys and plains of our existence. It isn't about where we are or what's happening around us - God is with us in all of it.

It's the story of Joseph (the one with the Techicolor Dream Coat) When the puzzle you are putting together doesn't look anything like the picture on the box - and you're missing a couple of pieces - then you know that God has something amazing in mind and in the end, you'll wind up looking just like God knew you would!

The disciples recognized Jesus because of His scars - maybe there is something to that. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing for the world to recognize us by our scars. The scars of the past do not define us. They have led us into the scarred hands of Jesus. Scars remind us we are alive - that we are not done yet - and we have stories to tell - especially the one about our Jesus and His scars.

The Unholy Holy Isaiah is brought into God's presence and begins to fly apart because of his unholiness. A Seraphim purifies him using a fiery coal from the altar fire - and through those burning lips Isaiah cries out, "Here Am I - Send Me" when God asks who will go and tell the world of His love and forgiveness.

Every earthly kingdom will fail and be destroyed - that doesn't mean we shouldn't recycle and reduce our carbon footprint and love animals (and people) - but it points us back to the Great Commission where Jesus said to "Make Disciples" - not conquer peoples. To do our work we don't need a kingdom, a building, a law or anything else. "Love your Enemies and Pray for those who Persecute you" - for t...

We don't need a Temple, Stained Glass or a Sliver of the Cross - we just need Jesus!

The Great Ordinary. Miracles are only miracles on this side of heaven. In heaven - miracles are the Great Ordinary.

I have a bottle of "Perfect" water in my office, and the other day at the store I saw "smart water" and there is even "Gold Water" from Tibet, "Iceberg Water" from Norway, "Zen Water" from Japan and my favorite - water from Iran that comes in a falcon shaped glass bottle. But even if it was Fillico water from Japan that goes for $1380 a liter - your baptism wouldn't be any different than water fro...

We all need someone to point us to Jesus - especially when He's right in front of us and we don't see Him. The Light has come and the darkness is being pushed back until, as the book of Revelation says, there will be no more of it.

Simeon has been waiting his whole life. He scoops up the baby Jesus and begins to sing. How long would you wait for God? What would you do when He fulfilled His promise?

If you need something to make this a little more real - think about Mary holding the baby Jesus in her hands - cradling Him close to her. Now think about the last time you took communion. The pastor placed the wafer in your hand. We believe that wafer was Jesus - in, with and under the bread. What you were holding in your hand was no different than what Mary held on that first Christmas. That's ho...

If you know how His story ends - then you can know how your story ends. No matter what twists or turns or bad guys or being forced to move or surprises - the story proclaims His story is your story. You are loved. You are unique. You are unreproducible. God sent His Son so you would know how precious you are to Him.

We are not alone in our sin. We are not alone in our joy. We are not alone in our grief. We are not alone in our questions. We are not alone - period.

Hawaii isn't for football fanatics that are also followers of Jesus (the games are over before we get home from church) - John points us to the sidelines, the Star Player and the scoreboard that tells us we've already won. But before the game ends - John has some things to say to the people in the stands and on the sidelines.

John the Baptizer screams "repent' - what does he expect from us? Does he expect us to stop doing bad things and saying bad things - or is it something else? How much patience does God have with us? How long will He wait for us?

Ezra and the need to give thanks even when everything is a mess

Ever walked into a well-lit room and turned on a flashlight? You don't need light where there is already light - you need light where there is darkness. Advent is God shining the light of His grace on a very deep darkness. E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come is not asking Jesus to speed things up - it's asking Him to use you right now - wherever you are - do bring light to someone who needs it.

It takes faith to see the difference between a dream and a vision

This ain't heaven and these churches aren't the real church - the people are - and we've got all eternity to make sure that no one gets left behind.

It's the "Widow's Mite (or lepton in the Greek) - but it has nothing to do with money. God is always more interested in our heart and soul than in our offerings. If we know who we are - and why we are here - the offering becomes an extension of the soul. This woman gave because it is who she was!

You are a saint but you are also a sinner. The fancy Latin is Simul Justus et Peccator. It just means you have one foot in heaven and one on this earth - and the "now - but not yet" (heaven) brings meaning and purpose to the "now - but slipping through your fingers" (earth). Be loved by God - then go out and love others.

Baby teeth and Jesus are not usually in the same sentence - and they definitely don't teach the same theology. We need a daily Reformation in our lives and in our churches. “The core problem isn’t the fact that we’re lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way - and that is because we have an inaccurate view of God.” Francis Chan

What is your definition of Being Saved? Unless you are the thief on the cross, you will spend the rest of your life "numbering your days aright - seeking a heart of wisdom." What will that look like?

You are annoying - until we need your spiritual gift (and we don't even want to talk about me being annoying, but...)