May 21, 2023
The different parts of trees (roots, trunks, branches, leaves, flowers and fruits) can help us imagine different aspects of our spiritual lives:
• embedding ourselves in God’s story,
• growing through nurture and struggle,
• celebrating our unique spiritual journey, receiving and responding to the Holy Spirit’s empowerment,
• and sharing with others.
As a whole, these create an ecology of prayer, a spiritual habitat or home
May 14, 2023
Scripture describes trees as clapping their hands and singing “for joy before the Lord,” and “the whole creation… groaning together.” As science reveals more about how trees communicate, what might they have to “say” to us about our lives and faith?
May 07, 2023
According to the Genesis 1 creation story, both trees and people were created to be "fruitful." What does "bearing good fruit" look like as followers of Jesus?
April 30, 2023
As we consider trees in the Bible, we are called to know place, value caring for all of Creation, name broken relationships, and move toward reparative actions we can pursue. Scriptural texts help us to reflect on where we are today and how we can pursue regenerative actions.
April 23, 2023
The imagery of trees from Jeremiah 17 offers us insight of the importance for us to reach down deep into God's presence and Word, and illustrates that we can be supported by our community when that is challenging or we need encouragement.
April 16, 2023
Our Scriptures are full of imagery of trees; they frame the Biblical visions of God's purpose and promise for Creation. They call us to consider our foundation, growth, and fruit. How do Scriptural images of trees call us to consider how we are rooted in God, especially as we relate to God's good creation?
April 09, 2023
Seeking: Who are you looking for? Jesus, mysteriously appearing to Mary as the gardener, asks her: “Why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” In the haze of grief, Mary can only see what is right before her—or in this case, what is not before her. It is only when Jesus calls her by name that the veil is lifted and she beholds the resurrected Christ. On this Easter morning, who—or what—are you looking for? Why have you come to the tomb? What kind of Jesus are you looking for? What veils need to be lifted so we can recognize God’s resurrection wherever it occurs?
April 02, 2023
Seeking: Where are you headed? Imagine you are in Jerusalem when Jesus enters on a donkey. Within the chaos and commotion of that scene, where are you and which way will you go? Will you follow Jesus all the way to the cross? Jesus’ willing surrender to his arrest should always catch us off-guard. As dismayed as the disciples, we ask, “Jesus, are you really headed this way, straight to your death?” Many of our weekly questions throughout the season so far have helped us prepare spiritually for Holy Week. Now we examine if our beliefs have changed our behaviors. Has your path changed? In the midst of opposing forces, which way will you go?
March 26, 2023
Seeking: Can these bones live?: In Ezekiel’s vision, God asks the prophet, “Can these bones live?” Do we believe new life can come after death? Can we find hope when things are bleak? Can we trust God’s resurrection? While we look to God to carry us through the valley, God looks to us to embody hope for others. As we prepare for Psalm Sunday, we remember how Jesus began his final journey toward resurrection: by returning to Judea after the death of his dear friend, Lazarus. As we walk through the valley of dry bones that leads us to Calvary Hill, let us seek out the hope that will stir in us and sustain us.
March 19, 2023
Seeking: Who sinned? When Jesus and the disciples encounter a blind man along the way, the disciples immediately ask, “Teacher, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" They ask a bad question, filled with assumptions and harmful theology.
Unfortunately, the crowd continues to interrogate the man and dissect the miracle of his healing. This week, let us pay attention to the questions we ask. What assumptions do we carry? What is our intent? When seeking clarity or understanding, what are better questions we can ask?
