The Gathering

Jesus made difficult choices just like I have to. In the end, God's love will win. Why did the crowd decide to crucify Jesus not Barabbas? When you have to make difficult choices, don't be afraid that God will not be enough, God's love always wins.

Am I a servant or a disciple? Mary anoints Jesus' feet, Jesus' new commandment to love one another, Foot Washing

Am I investing in something that will make a difference? New generations that are compelling and investing in something that makes a difference.

Am I in Alignment With Christ? What difference are you making with God gives you? God tells his followers not to worry about anything, everything will be provided for you.

Don't worry about the future. Forget about the past. Live in the present. What does a life of surrender look like?

Where do you find the meaning of life? The meaning of Life is not something you find, but rather a gift you receive.

What does baptism symbolize? Baptism symbolizes cleansing/forgiveness, a new identity, a new start.

What does Epiphany mean? Epiphany: the manifestation of God; through Christ and through us.

Who will you choose to serve? (summary) With our egocentric memory, we forget about God when things are good; we remember him when times are tough. We must put God first in good times, too, and not endanger our spiritual life. For Joshua and the Israelites, God freed them from slavery, led them across the Red Sea and out of their wilderness to the Promised Land. They didn't do anything by themselv...

What happens when we fail? Life is always up and to the right is a myth, the Israelites first failed in Jericho/the Promised Land at the first battle in a small village, their hearts melted into water, they start blaming God, second-guessing themselves, God told Joshua to get up and make himself holy, failure melts our resolve, get up and get ready, stop blaming others, decide how you're going to...

How do we live in between receiving God's promise and possessing it? (summary) God makes promises to us but there is time before claiming the promise, live in the "in between time," Joshua and the battle of Jericho, God's detailed instructions, the Israelites went in and attacked and captured the city, three disciplines for us: trust God, be obedient to what God asks us to do, be patient.

Where can we find help to change into someone new? Archbishop Desmond Tutu, lead change, find allies, God will raise them up, can't do alone, Jericho, Rahab hid men (Israelite spies), known vs. unknown, God will be with us through the presence of others, Rahab makes deal with men, they report back to Joshua, make new friends to help us change, be open to surprise of other people.

How do our fears get in the way of change? God is growing church of depth, faith demands change, change is hard, we get stuck, God wants to make changes, old life to new life, Joshua protege of Moses took people to cusp of Promised Land, people were afraid of challenges, criticized Moses and Aaron, desired to return to Egypt, God got mad, they wandered for 40 years, Joshua and Jacob last two alive...

Through religious rituals or practices, you might see God. Such as small groups, regular worship attendance, giving.

The Christmas Story.

What is the incarnation? Where the divine meets the ordinary. The ordinary is the proper setting for something great to happen. That is the very essence of the Incarnation.

What is possible from one single yes? Like Mary's yes to the Angel's question, we can answer yes to the nudging from the Holy Spirit.

Who are you listening to? Who listens to you? Witness: someone who shares information that another may not see.

It's easy to become lost like the sheep. We "nibble our way lost"--a little at a time.

See the mess, yet see the potential.