October 25, 2021
“Who touched Me?” Mark 5:25-34 “What do you want Me to do for you?” Luke 18:35-43 Jesus ‘looked on them with compassion’ Matthew 9:36. Just a few places where Jesus noticed, connected and brought powerful change to the lives around Him. In most instances, those individuals who were noticed were brought back into community by virtue of their healings and their lives began in new and wonderful ways. We, as Christ’s disciples are called to be instruments of His transformation in the lives of others as well: to notice, connect, value, and affirm those placed in our path. No connection is too small. No opportunity just happenstance. We are called to be community – to build community – to invite all, embrace all, and bring the joy of life together to all – all in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lord, give me both the strength and the will to be a connector of others to You and to each other. AMEN
September 13, 2021
Isaiah 11 speaks to the rising up of God’s people from the muck and mire of exile through the One Who will bring the peaceable kingdom and restore the world as it should be. That One Who came still comes as we receive Him and live according to His teachings as He lives in us.
One of my favorite songs these days is by Andra Day: Rise Up – the abbreviated lyrics are as follows – such joy – it’s almost like she read Isaiah 11 and burst into song!
You’re broken down and tired/Of living life on a merry go round
And you can’t find the fighter/But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out/And move mountains
And I’ll rise up/I’ll rise like the day
I’ll rise up/I’ll rise unafraid
I’ll rise up/And I’ll do it a thousand times again
And I’ll rise up/High like the waves
I’ll rise up/In spite of the ache
I’ll rise up/And I’ll do it a thousand times again/For you
When the silence isn’t quiet/And it feels like it’s getting hard to breathe
And I know you feel like dying/But I promise we’ll take the world to its feet/And move mountains
And I’ll rise up/I’ll rise like the day
I’ll rise up/I’ll rise unafraid
I’ll rise up/And I’ll do it a thousand times again/For you
All we need, all we need is hope/And for that we have each other
And we will rise/We will rise
Lord, give us the strength to rise and face the Son – all for Your glory! AMEN.
Preacher Woman 