Roman soldiers parade through Jerusalem on majestic steeds. In another neighborhood, Jesus asks his disciples to fetch him a donkey. Pastor Dan shares thoughts on the importance of mundane donkey-fetching tasks.

​We live in a death-denying culture. We don’t like to think about it, talk about it, or acknowledge its inevitability. Lazarus was raised from the dead, so there is hope? Pastor Jody suggests that there might be a message worth hearing in this story.

Some days it’s hard for us to see the miraculous. The gospel says Jesus performed 37 miracles. After Jesus healed a blind man, religious leaders reacted with a ‘no!’ and mercilessly interrogated the man. Pastor Dan tells us the rest of the story.

In a world more divided than ever, what can bring us together? While seeking water, Jesus crossed the most divisive barriers of his day — patriarchy and sectarianism — by talking with a Samaritan woman. Pastor Jody talks about water and remarkable women.

John 3:16 may be the most famous verse in the Bible. It even appears at sporting events and on car bumpers. Some say it means we must believe Jesus is God’s son or die an eternal death. Pastor Dan talks about a more inclusive, less penal understanding.

We may choose to say YES to new habits, but saying NO is also a way to take control. Pastor Jody borrows from Bob Dylan and suggests saying NO to things that don’t align with our values. It can give us opportunities that lead to greater intention and focus.

Dylan song video – https://youtu.be/wC10VWDTzmU?si=WtRs7D7thC-eTz3V
Lyrics – https://tinyurl.com/ServeSomeoneDylan

Did the transfiguration literally happen, or is the story asking something of us? Pastor Dan shares the stories of transfigured people he has known.

​In today’s Gospel. Jesus continues the discussion of what it means to be blessed. He says we’re at our best when we are salt and light, for example. Pastor Jody asks what might be keeping us from spreading flavor and illumination in our lives.

Most of us know some of the eight Beatitudes. Maybe others were left unrecorded. Pastor Dan shares a blessing for each week of the year. Here’s one: Good for you when you can take criticism without throwing a hissy fit.

Competitive skating involves skill, strength, and creativity. Skaters must train constantly for years. As with most things, discipline is required to reach professional status. Pastor Jody asks what kind of discipline is needed to follow the way of Jesus.