Discipline is a tough word. We associate it with punishment or with short term suffering for long term goals. But discipline can be energizing and liberating. There is something exciting about working towards become the person that you want to be, whether that's physically, mentally or spiritually. Spiritual disciplines help us grow into people more like Jesus. One of the disciplines that the Bible talks about most frequently is generosity. This week's passage from 2 Corinthians 8 talks about the discipline of generosity, about finishing what we start. It's an important practice to manage our money out of God's economy rather than the world's.

The lectionary Old Testament text this week is Amos 7: 7-17. We in the church tend to neglect the ancient prophets--especially the ones we call "Minor Prophets." These writers are called minor prophets because their writings are shorter than the major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah & Ezekiel), not because their message is any less important. Prophets make us take a larger vision of how God wants us to live together. There is a personal message, but for the most part these prophets are speaking to the nation of Israel--especially to leaders. It is in these writings that we discover how God wants people in power to act and legislate. We can learn what kind of leaders God wants us to choose. It is a minor prophet, so you can read the book of Amos in 30 minutes. It contains some of the most vivid images of judgment in the whole Bible. As you read, think about parallels with our times. You might also think about the relationship of the church and the state. Why was Amos, a farmer (layperson) in Judah (the southern kingdom of the now divided kingdom of Israel), sent to Israel (the northern kingdom) to proclaim a word of judgement from God? From Amos we might discover how to be objective in our understanding of what God wants from us as individuals and as a nation. 

I went to Haiti in June and this is my talk about what God is up to there. This is an audio recording and I used a lot of pictures and videos in my talk, so this will be better if you can see those. I've uploaded the audio with the pictures and videos cut in at the correct times onto Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHK4fmfrYDw

So if you're able, watch this talk there. But if not you'll still get the gist of it here. 

The Bible is full of stories where people hear God call them to something transformational. It’s usually something that they couldn't miss; a bush that’s on fire, the heavens are opened, or an angel appears. Those sorts of things rarely happen to us. But Samuel’s story is different. Samuel’s call is easy to miss - in fact he almost does. He almost mistakes God’s call for something a little more believable. Thankfully, he finally gets it. And God tells Samuel he’s going to "do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.” Samuel goes on to become one of the most important people in Israel’s history. What can we learn from his call? How can we be sure to plug into God’s purpose for our lives?

We celebrated Pentecost last week- the fulfillment of God's promise to give his Holy Spirit, the very Spirit of the risen Christ, to the church. Now that we have the full revelation of God through Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, this Sunday is Trinity Sunday. The scripture text comes from John 3: 1-17.  The word "trinity" is not mentioned in the Bible, but it is presented as an experience of the church. For this Sunday you might reflect on your experience of God as Father/Creator, Jesus as Son and Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as Comforter and Sustainer of God’s Church.