Interrogating the Deity: 2/4
She interviews and keeps time; he says the good stuff.
Lance Pape continues his investigation into the Bible's testimony concerning human suffering and the goodness of God.
Interrogating the Deity: 1/4
Dr. Lance Pape, looking contemplative.
Lance Pape, a professor at Brite Divinity School (TCU) and our pastor's spouse, helps us think about how the world really works in God's care. Is it fair? Is it good? Is it simple? Hm. Psalm 1 and Psalm 73 are the two texts you need to get started. (These four lessons are like a mini-series -- you need to hear this one before you hear the next one, etc.)
too soon to kill him
"Maybe All is Not Lost" -- an album of worship music by our worship architect Paul Demer -- debuted last Sunday in worship. But it wasn't a concert; it was worship. So we talked about Jesus, natch. Luke 4:13-30.
We made an album, y'all!
In God's Good Time: 7/7
We're starting off 2016 talking about vipers and fire. Happy new year, y'all!
There are persons, and there are systems... and there are good persons in bad systems... and John the Baptist seems to think Jesus can do something about that. What do you think? Luke 3:1-38.
In God's Good Time: 6/7
You could not pay me enough to be twelve years old again. Srsly. So what does it mean that God subjects God's own self to it? Luke 2:41-52.
In God's Good Time: 5/7
In Luke 2:22-40, the old folks join the conversation. Meet Simeon and Anna, who both know how to take the long view.
In God's Good Time: 4/7
A guest preacher! Dr. Lance Pape, Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Brite Divinity School (and spouse of our pastor), says Christianity is not so much about believing the right things, but about what we find beautiful. Amen.
In God's Good Time: 3/7
HIS NAME IS JOHN CE-wait, wrong John. My bad, y'all.
Luke 1:57-80, it's Zechariah's turn for an aria in this parental prequel to the nativity. "His name is John" is the least crazy thing this dad has to say about his son. What do your parents say about you?
In God's Good Time: 2/7
She's a rebel, she's a saint, she's the salt of the earth, and she's dangerous... Whatshername, Green Day, and Mary the mother of Jesus have more in common than you might think.
Luke 1:26-56 -- a teenaged, unmarried, pregnant girl/woman is the one God chooses to save the whole freakin' world. God's always doing stuff like that. Thanks be to God.
In God’s Good Time: 1/7
Hmm. I'm not sure.
We're on to the gospel of Luke now, for the back story to Jesus's birth. First we meet Elizabeth, and remember her ancestor Hannah, women who were shamed for not conforming to the gendered role of "mother." Could we stop with the shaming, please? Luke 1:1-25.
Jesus H. Christ: 11/11
Mark 13 is a whole chapter about the end of the world as we know it. Jesus said more about the Zombie Apocalypse than you might imagine -- and less.
Michon. She will cut. you. up.
Jesus H. Christ: 10/11
What does your church do with your money? Wouldn't you like to know?
In Mark 12:35-44, Jesus sits himself down to watch how much moola people put in the plate. Seriously?!
Jesus H. Christ: 9/11
The Llangernyw Yew: one of the oldest life forms on our planet.
Lifespan: we've all got one. We live as long as we're useful. Jesus, the fig tree, the scribe balancing on one foot, our church -- how long will we last? Mark 12:1-34.
Jesus H. Christ: 8/11
The real reason Jesus cursed that fig tree.
Wherein Jesus curses the military-industrial complex and the consumer-capitalist economy. Or maybe just the fig tree. Mark 11.
Jesus H. Christ: 7/11
Mark 10:32-52: the Son of Man, the Sons of Zebedee, the Son of Timaeus, the Son of David. And a critical question Jesus asks twice: "What do you want me to do for you?" Not easily answered, at least for me.
Jesus H. Christ: 6/11
Everyone's favorite sermon topic!
Whose idea was it to preach All the Things Jesus Said in Mark? Ugh. Mark 10:1-31.
Jesus H. Christ: 5/11
Jess kept us moving forward with this exploration of Mark 9:30-50, wherein Jesus predicts that we will all be "salted with fire." Which sounds painful. To which Jess can attest.
Jesus H. Christ: 4/11
In which Slim Shady makes a cameo appearance.
There's more than one way to tell any story. Which way are we telling ours right now? Mark 9:1-29.
Jesus H. Christ: 3/11
In Mark 8, Jesus just won't stay in his box. His handlers -- er, disciples -- are exasperated. But he's the one sighing.
Jesus H. Christ: 2/11
Your reaction to hearing, "Jesus was a racist." It'll make more sense if you listen to the rest of the sermon. We hope.
Oh, Jesus. Why did you have to be so mean to that ethnically differentiated woman? Mark 7:24-37. Let's do this.