We often have questions about our faith that we do not get to ask, or that are not addressed in the sermon that the pastor chooses to preach. On "Instant Sermon Sunday," the congregation is given a chance to write down a question for the pastor to respond to, creating a custom message for the day. Topics range from images of God, to the nature of evil, and the question of "why bother going to church?"

Thomas's mix of devotion and doubt gives us a model for faithfully asking questions as we seek to understand the incomprehensible mystery of Christ. (John 20:19-31).

Sometimes there are no words for the bewildering evil and despair that seems to surround us. That is when we must rely on the Holy Spirit to intercede with "sighs too deep for words" as we attend to creation's groaning. (Romans 8:18-27)

Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed!

Easter reminds us that we do not know the whole story: Despair, fear, even death do not have the final word. Easter invites us to sow seeds of hope so that we might proclaim the resurrection in a hurting and hurtful word, living out the Good News of God's liberating love!

When religion becomes co-opted, corrupted, and controlled by the empire, the outcome is deadly. How often do we confuse Caesar with Christ? (Luke 19:29-40).

Through the Prophet Isaiah, God comforts the exiled People of Israel, proclaiming that God is doing a new thing among them, with them, and through them -- but first they must let go of the "good old days" (Isaiah 43:16-21). Our ability to perceive and receive God's newness also depends upon our ability to break from our pasts and make room for God.

On this Trans Day of Visibility, The Rev. Louis Mitchell invites and challenges us to meditate on those with whom we disagree, praying for the freedom from anger and resentment. Drawing on Psalm 32 and 2 Corinthians 5, Rev. Mitchell encourages us to "clear our own garbage" so we can "love those who despise us."

Rev. Louis Mitchell is the Executive Director of Transfaith (transfaithonline.org), a practical and spiritual resource center for trans folx of faith and faith leaders in general across a number of faith traditions.

After hearing the news of some terrible deaths, some people ask Jesus if those who perished were somehow "greater sinners" because of the manner of their demise. Jesus dismisses this idea, but reminds his listeners that they must not delay in turning their lives around (repentance) and must always be prepared for the in-breaking of the kin-dom of God (Luke 13:1-9).

During Lent, we often think of fasting as giving up some kind of creature comfort or luxury -- chocolate or candy, meat, alcohol. But what is the purpose of our fasting? Through the prophet Isaiah, God commands a fast that brings about justice and righteousness that looks a lot different than how we might think of Lenten fasting (Isaiah 58:3-12).

When Peter witnessed Jesus's Transfiguration, his human mind could not comprehend the mystery before him. He responded with an understandably human impulse, wanting to freeze and contain this holy moment, offering to build three dwelling places (Luke 9:28-36). We, too, might incarcerate ourselves, others, or even God in a dwelling place!