An angry, vengeful God fits our human standards of justice. But, we have to remember to always read scripture through the lens of Jesus. Jesus flips the script on our human sense of justice. Jesus shows us that God's judgment is anchored in forgiveness, not vengeance, and in love, not anger.

A fear of God as scary and vengeful, can leave us feeling exhausted and inadequate. But throughout Scripture, Jesus's life tells us a different story. Jesus reveals that God is a loving father, full of mercy and radical love.

American Fundamentalism has presented the Bible as a rule book with the aim of keeping you out of hell. But, that's simply not what it is. The Bible is the unfolding story of God's love for God's people. It's a story that challenges us to grow and become more like Jesus. 

Shelbi Fedder shares her family's story of finding Grace Church during the 4th Anniversary Celebration of the church. 

The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus following his baptism. The same Spirit filled the disciples inspiring them to share the Good News. The same Spirit fills our community at Grace Church as we continue this work of spreading the Good News so that all people will know they are loved by God and have a seat at our table.

Gifts can be very powerful, especially when given out of love. Jesus is the ultimate gift revealing how far God is willing to go to show us what true love looks like. It's a gift we shouldn't take for granted.

Rooted in us is a desire to know God. We want to know what God is like. The Gospel of John tells us that if we want to know God, that all we have to do is look at Jesus.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, had the courage to say "yes" to God when there were so many reasons to say "no." From her story we learn that no one is too small or too insignificant or too scandalous to partner with God.

God leaves the safety, comfort and security that is Heaven, to come and make a home with us on Earth in the human form of Jesus. This is a beautiful example of the great lengths God is willing to go to show us his love and have a relationship with us.   

When we try to plan during Advent Season, sometimes we get so bogged down in trying to make every detail perfect, that we miss God's presence. In our readings today, we are told to prepare, not to plan. There is a big difference in our idea of planning, and God's idea of preparing. How are you preparing this Advent Season?