The Way of Jesus: Healing

Sunday we started a fresh series on the way of Jesus. For much of the summer we’ll be trying to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and going back to the basics with gospel stories from Luke. This week we read Luke 7:1-10, the story of Jesus healing a Roman official’s servant, and we wondered about how healing works in the real world. Thoughts after the jump.

Lady Wisdom

Last week was Trinity Sunday and the lectionary handed us Proverbs 8, a gorgeous poem that describes divine Wisdom. Thoughts after the jump.

write this down

We finished the book of Revelation this week with a lovely section from the 21st chapter:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “All is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will freely give water from the life-giving spring.

Thoughts after the jump…

the power of praise

We continued with Revelation on Sunday, with a passage from Revelation 5 that revolves around praise. Before all is said and done, all of creation joins in praise. Their praise, though, has a pretty surprising object–a slaughtered lamb. This text is an encouragement for everyone who finds themselves pulling for the underdog. Thoughts after the jump. And, as usual, you can find a podcast of this sermon over at the Bethany website. It’ll be up later today.

the heart of the matter

Last week. It was a rough one. There was the Boston bombing on Monday, the explosion in Texas on Wednesday. The families from Newtown were back in the news on Wednesday as the Senate decided not to take action. Then our eyes turned back to Boston on Thursday night and Friday. We have been faced with images of young amputees, grieving parents, enormous explosions, heavily armed police, and one bleeding, injured nineteen year old who brought a city to a standstill. 

Closer to home, we all have loved ones whose personal lives have been tumultuous and painful, exhausting and exhausted this week. 

In the face of all this we come here, searching for something real, something true, something that will shed some light on the darkness. 

back to life, back to reality

Two Sundays past Easter and the flowers have faded. Our story brought us back to the beginning, to the Sea of Galilee, where the disciples first met Jesus. They go fishing like nothing had ever happened. Read the rest of the story here and jump in with thoughts after the jump. As always, you can catch the podcast at bethanytacoma.org.

practicing temptation

We began Lent with the classic story of Jesus and the devil facing off in the desert. This year we considered how we’re tempted to think we can do it all ourselves, and how Lent might be a time to lean on God a little bit more. Thoughts after the jump.