Spark Cast

What is this Nazirite (not Nazarite) vow? What significance does it have? More importantly, what does it communicate about the person taking the vow, and the community in which they take it. Not only does it symbolize the presence of something miraculous, but it puts on display the miracle that is the community itself.

In preparation for our multi faith peace walk next week (September 11), Pastor Danielle shares the commission and challenge of being people of love, reconciliation, and rescue. Joining hands and efforts with people unlike us is hard work, and loving our enemy is not what any of us wants to do. But as followers of Jesus, it is what we are called to do.

So, why 12 tribes? What significance could this have on the broad scope and grand narrative of the biblical story? Perhaps the meaning is of cosmic significance.

The arrangement of the tribes of Israel around the Tabernacle is a form. In this message, Pastor Mark shares the function that the form is attempting to communicate.

... If you've ever had a moment of awkward silence, you've probably been waiting for someone to speak into that silence, to fill that void. What does the book of Numbers fill the awkward silence with? Counting. Yes, counting the people, one, by, one.

Our friend and guest, Ari Cartun, shared an introduction to the book of Numbers, which in Hebrew is the word "in the wilderness." This session also included Q&A with Pastor Danielle at the end of the message.

Dr. Peter Enns shares reflections from his book, The Sin of Certainty. Q&A at the end of the message.

Dr. Peter Enns shares reflections from his book, The Bible Tells Me So… Q&A at the end of the message.

Sparkers Stacy and Lauren have just returned from a 5 week trip to Greece, working face-to-face and hand-in-hand with the refugees and aid workers on the front lines. In sharing with us, they give us up close information, dispel the myths that are still so widely promulgated, and connect the core values of the Way of Jesus to the critical work that is being done.

Friends, we've been here before. We'll be here again. And we will always have to be wise in how we deal with politics as one context of living our our faith. So, let us not be afraid, let us not demonize, and let us never clamor for power, but rather lay down our lives in service to the Way of Jesus.

As our nation has been wrought with the tragedies, tensions, and emotions of race and law enforcement yet again, our hearts grieve with those families and friends who lost loved ones, and our souls stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who have been deeply affected by this week's shootings. Our spirits are also resolved to continue the pursuit of justice in this world, of bringing reco...

There are two possible definitions of the word "persecute" in the Greek. In this message, the blessing/happiness comes to those who are not "persecuted," but rather "pursued." Why are we being pursued? Because of righteousness.

Peace is not simply the absence of war or conflict. It is the presence of wholeness. Peacemaking, therefore, is not the avoidance of conflict, it is what we do and how we act and respond in its presence.

Pure in heart requires confession, personally and communally for the sins we have done, and the goodness that has been left undone. Acknowledging and disclosing these sins free us, liberate us, and purify us.

Timely in the midst of the news in Orlando and here locally at Stanford, this message is hard; extending mercy to those who have done evil in this world. Yet, this may be the exact call an character of those who follow Jesus.

Installment #4 of our series peers deep into what hungering and thirsting for righteousness means in the grand scope of the entire Biblical narrative.

In a world of "might makes right" and the "strong survive," perhaps there is no more subversive message than "happy are the meek." In this third installment, we look into the Psalms, and the word "anav" to discover good news for those who have been made low.

While many dismiss mourning for joy, the beatitudes call us to remember that mourning is the characteristic of the kingdom. We ought not be surprised at suffering loss, and we should be open to embracing the sadness that comes with mourning.

So, what the heck is a beatitude anyway? What does it mean to be "blessed?" In this opening message we discover the vision Jesus has of the Kingdom.

In conclusion, we need to address what it means to love, in the way of Jesus, regardless of what we believe.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this topic are the stories of real life people who have wrestled with this issue. In this portion, three Sparker share their journeys and perspectives, giving us further insight and understanding into the realities of this issue.

In this segment, we delve deep into the subject of "hermeneutics," the art and science of interpretation. Understanding that we all do this, all the time, in virtually every area of life is a really important foundation for when we get to understanding the Biblical texts.

In this opening talk, we have "the talk before the talk," a variety of things that need to be said before we say anything about "the issue."

Dr. Curt Rhodes of Questscope continues the discussion with some Q&A from our congregation.

Dr. Curt Rhodes of Questscope shares intimate and powerful stories of his work in Jordan and Syria, on the ground, and in close relationship with refugees, fighters, and NGOs.