First Free Methodist - FFMC

As humans, we love to plot and plan. Very few of his live every day of our lives without some kind of intent, purpose, or agenda. How does God move and work in our midst when we are planned out? The story of the conversion of Saul is a story about how God moves and works when we going about our plans. God's interruption is graceful yet powerful. This week's episode explores how life can change in an instant.

The stories in the Book of Acts point us toward a deeper understanding of power and grace through the work of the Holy Spirit. In this week's episode we explore power through the appearance of Peter and John before the Jewish ruling council of the day. Peter embodies grace, reconciliation, and hope even before those who would accuse him. Perhaps here we learn that the work of Christians is not to seize power in any form but, instead, to point to the only true source of power...the Holy Spirit.

Most days we avoid asking questions that might lead us into confusion or wonder. We often stay in spaces that sure and certain. What we find in the resurrection story of Jesus is a God who is at work in confusion and wonder. here we find a God who beckons us to remember who Jesus is, who we are, and what all things must become. These are confusing questions for many of us but God invites us into that confusion to find hope.

The world of the 21st century is filled with empire, power, and politics. This world is not too unlike the world of Jesus so long ago. Jesus' entrance into the great city of Jerusalem is an entrance of a the gospel of peace and grace. Jesus openly and publicly contrasts his reign of peace with the Roman notion of power and empire. Perhaps here we can learn the important lessons of being Christ's people of peace in a world filled with empire and power.

Today's episode highlights the beautiful cycle of gratitude and generosity. In this short story from John's gospel we find Mary with a heart filled with gratitude for what Jesus has done and what he is yet to do. She offers a costly gift to Jesus. It is generosity born out of immense gratitude. Mary's example teaches us the centrality of our love relationship with Jesus and how that love can form a generosity beyond limits in us for others.