But you can’t prove that Easter is true by going backward, only by going forward. Because John says that’s where the risen Christ is, on the move, ahead of us, not behind us. You know what is for me the main proof of Easter? It’s you! Despite all of the setbacks and...
00598 – Holy and Haunting Presence
O Holy and Haunting Presence whose spirit moves quietly but surely in the sound and fury of the world and of my life, you know me as rushing water knows the rock and releases its beauty to reflect new light. from Guerillas of Grace
00560 – The Spirit is Already Present
The Spirit was present at creation and abided in Jesus of Nazareth and in every other being who has ever lived and ever will. Because it is life itself, it infuses all life. It need not be asked into our lives, for it is already there. While this Spirit dwells in us,...
00530 – Trying to Describe God
Believers throughout the centuries have tried to describe God, but very few have been satisfied with their descriptions. Their words turn out to be too frail to do the job. …The best any of us has ever been able to do is to describe what the experience of God is...
00529 – Nurturing the Presence of God
We have resorted to magical categories and overlook God’s gift of sacred significance in the commonplace events of our lives. As a result, we may choose to take a particular job because of what we describe as God’s leading, but then do the job with little or no sense...
00528 – God Senses My Presence?
It occurred to me one day that though I often worry about whether or not I sense the presence of God, I give little thought to whether God senses the presence of me. from Prayer
00517 – Singing Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs
Paul actually expects Christ to be encountered as his people share with one another a whole range of verbal ministries in the congregational. For example, as they “sing psalms, hymns and spiritual song,” with gratitude in their hearts to God, they will fulfill the...
00495 – God’s Love is always There
Thank God, God is more ready to forgive than to punish. Thank God, Jesus made it quite clear that he had come to be with and to help those in need. “Those who are well do not need a physician,” he said, “but those who are ill.” Jesus said those are the ones he had...
00486 – The Kingdom of God
We can define the Kingdom of God as the redemptive presence of God. The redemptive presence of God can be found in everyday personal experiences. Whenever people love one another, bear one another’s burdens, work to build up a just and peaceful community—wherever...
00468 – The Gift of Grace
The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever...