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The Story We Live Into
Stories are important because they color the way we view God. In Philippians 1:3-11, Paul is writing from prison to the church in Philippi — a loving letter, full of affection and joy. Hope is important for Paul — both in the way the world is structured and in where it’s going. The creation story…
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A Season of Waiting
Lisa Danner talks about the season of Advent as a time to create space for waiting. She highlights that people seem to have a propensity to get distracted from things that matter and invites us to analyze what pressures, mindsets, or stressors might be let go in order for us to have experiences of wonder.
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The Kindom/Kingdom of Non-violence
Adam enters into the week’s scripture passage of John 18:33-37 in light of Jesus’ words to Pilate, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.” Adam’s own understanding has come from his transition from…
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The Little Apocalypse
Mark 13:1-8, is known as the little apocalypse. This is a foreign genre to us, though common at the time of Jesus’ life. Surprisingly, these were originally texts of hope, written to provide another vision of the world for people suffering and oppressed. In apocalypse, worldly power is turned on its head, and God’s justice…
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Infamous Words
David Gist reflects on the meaning of the phrase “You will always have the poor among you,” or “with you.” It’s a rather famous phrase — or infamous, given how this passage has been used to perpetuate greed and capitalism. But what was the context for this phrase, initially from Deuteronomy? David was called to…
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The Greatest Commandment
In Mark 12:28-34, a religious scholar asks Jesus about Old Testament law — what the greatest commandment is. Jesus responds by quoting the Shema: a Deuteronomy passage instructing the Jewish people to love God with all their heart, soul, and might. Jesus adds “mind.” Secondly, he says, is to love one’s neighbor as one’s self.…
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A Seat At The Table
Jason takes the passage of Mark 10:35-45, in which Jesus calls his disciples to divest themselves of power in order to serve, and weaves it together with stories of Judy Chicago and Sojourner Truth. Jesus continues to turn the tables on culture, and to call for the divestment of power and dominance in order that…
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Testifying for Justice
Bert Newton talks about how the early church spread the idea of God’s New Society in which all would be housed, how churches are attempting that today, and how the campaign to help churches build affordable housing continues that vision. He also describes how Jesus and his disciples spoke up in their city councils (synagogues)…
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Transforming Hearts
The passage of Mark 10:2-16 has greatly impacted Susan Cameron’s growth and thinking about what God is trying to say to us through the Bible — particularly because of its abuse and misuse. Studying family systems in seminary at the time she was practicing family law brought light to Susan’s view of what Jesus was…
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Confession that Brings Healing
As a chaplain in a hospital context, Adam offers solidarity with those who need confession. His touchpoint with James is the call to “confess to one another … and you will be healed.” At a recent hospital event, a tea for the soul with hospital staff, one doctor remained behind to talk about the challenges…
Pasadena Mennonite Church 