"What are you doing here?" the Lord asks. Have you ever wondering what you are even doing, as if your best efforts aren't enough? The gentle whisper of God's voice comes to us in our silent retreat with him, not with powerful signs and wonders. The Lord shows up on his terms, through a gentle whisper. And it is enough to center us onto him.

"Lord, open their eyes, that they may see!" We all need our eyes opened to see the spiritual battle going on around us. We also need our eyes opened to God's presence with us, each day. But sometimes God is calling us to be the ones to pray for others, that they may see Him too. When we are surrounded by difficult circumstances, we need help to see what God may be up to. 

“In those days, the word of the Lord was rare.” How do we truly hear the voice of God? Samuel had to learn to recognize God's voice to him. We too are learning to hear, discern, and obey the voice of the Lord. 

"What is a Christian Identity?" Today we discuss aspects of our identities that the world uses to separate us. Everything from circumcision to language. We also discuss what a Christian identity is - a beloved child of the Most High God. The proper expression of this identity is offering one's self over to the living God. 

“It seems to be human nature to want gods that can be seen and touched, gods in the likeness of men.” In our text we hear myths about Zeus and Hermes, the reality of a Living God, and faith that is visible. How might we have faith that is as alive as our God?

How does one receive the Kingdom of God like a child? In our text today we see the lengths that kings like Herod will go through to protect their own kingdoms. We also see Peter's uncertainty about what God is up to. It seems the one quickest to receive the kingdom of God is a littler child... just like Jesus said. 

As people, we constantly and subconsciously deem certain people as "unclean." This text shows us that a biblical church is messy, not because we are complacent in sin, but instead by our reconciliatory practices. A community of reconciliation is messy. Reconciliatory conversations require humility that will refine us. We can experience this simply by listening to what God might be saying and listening to the people in front of us.

How does Jesus speak about the practice of Sabbath? Is Sabbath practice beneficial for us today? In a culture of workaholism, busyness and burnout, Sabbath practice acts as counter-formation for our benefit. 

Classically considered Saul's conversion narrative, we see that two people had formative encounters with the risen Christ in this text. In what ways may we need formative encounters with Jesus in our day?

We imagine the story of an Ethiopian man who was castrated so that he could serve the Queen. The Spirit of God calls Philip to create space for this man to appear on his own terms. What we see is a giving and receiving of hospitality, and a call for all peoples to be welcomed - immersed in the kingdom of God.