Reality Boston

“Worried and distracted.” It doesn’t just describe Martha (Luke 10), it describes most men and women living in our modern world. What does it look like to move from worried and distracted, to resting in God’s presence and power? From Luke 10:38-11:4, Al Abdulla explores what keeps us from practicing Christ’s presence in prayer and why contemplative prayer is so

needed for our spiritual vitality.

Social scientists tell us that our information age and constant connectivity is actually having adverse affects on our brains. Imagine how this overstimulation affects our souls. From 2 Samuel 7, Al Abdulla explores how we can practice the ongoing presence of God by practicing Christfulness.

What does it mean to practice the presence of God in a fast-paced, hyper-connective city like Boston? Is it just a practice relegated to monasteries and mountain-top experiences? Or is there a way to tune into God’s presence while pursuing our demanding and even divine purpose in an urban context? Taken from Nehemiah 2:1-5, Al Abdulla explores why it’s so vital, and what it looks like to practically practice the presence of God in the real world.

Living as a believer happens the same way someone becomes a believer: it’s all of grace. From the stories of Naaman and Gehazi (2 Kings 5:1-3, 15-27), Bijan Mirtolooi explores the joys, opportunities, and challenges of living by grace.

Believing the gospel starts somewhere, but doesn’t end there. Believing in or ‘Trusting’Jesus is a daily choice. From the story of Naaman (2 King 5:1-14), Al Abdulla explores what it means to become immersed in the healing waters of the gospel.

In this seventh and final letter to the churches, the community at Laodicea is challenged by the faithful and true testimony of Jesus. What we discover is that Jesus loves his people enough to confront them in their error, rescue them from their disillusion, and invite them back into fellowship with himself.

Jesus knows how to speak a kind word those who are weary and enables them to persevere with hope. From Revelation 3:7-13 Travis Greene looks at the revealing of Jesus to the church in Philadelphia as the one who can sustain them and opens doors no one can shut. St. John shows where to find strength in the midst of our weakness.

One problem that regularly confronts us all is that our reputation doesn’t always match up with the reality of who we are. Jesus confronts the church at Sardis with their incompleteness and calls them to repent. He holds out beautiful promises to them to encourage them and us to keep his word.

Jesus continues to assess the churches of Asia Minor in the fourth of seven letters to the church in Asia Minor (now Turkey). This church has been solid and even made progress in the faith, but has also tolerated idolatrous practices. Jesus warns them but also reminds them of the glorious promises that come their way if they persevere.

Jesus continues to assess the churches of Asia Minor in the third of seven letters to the church in Asia Minor (now Turkey). This church has been faithful but also has tolerated compromise. Jesus’ sobering solution is to call the church to repentance, while reminding them that he has a sword.