Stack up some rocks of encouragement along the path.

Today our Scripture reading comes from Luke 13, and Jesus uses the Greek word metanoia twice. Metanoia means to change one’s mind or purpose. It’s a word that has been hard to find a good English translation. Most of us are familiar with the word "repent." The problem with the word "repent" is that it doesn’t always capture the change part. Repent means being sorry, which may or may not lead to an actual change of thinking and behavior. So what does it look like to change our thinking and behavior? Franciscan monk and writer Richard Rohr points out that people don't change "by mere knowledge or willpower." He suggests that we are more apt to change when we notice we are not acting a certain way and are upset by it. I think he’s on to something here.Recently, I became aware that I stopped doing something I found to be very enriching and spiritually grounding for me: journaling. It was when I experienced a lack of grounding, a lack of focus, a lack of being present that I realized what was missing. I'm reworking my schedule now to make this a priority. I’m wondering what you think. How do you experience metanoia- a change in your thinking and behavior? What motivates you to change your thinking and behavior to align with God's love?

God of restoration, your followers were told not to work on the Sabbath, and yet they boldly plucked grain to feed the hungry. ​ ​

Our baptism calls us to serve the One who restores and heals, and make him Lord of our lives so that our lives serve justice and not idols.

Amen. ​

Isaiah 6:1-8

"Here I am, God, send me!"

Members of our Habitat for Humanity Guatemala mission team share reflections on the trip.

1 Kings 17:1-16

Hebrews 11:1, 29-12:2

This All Saints' Sunday sermon celebrates sainthood and faith

Growing in our faith is not like other endeavors. That's because our goal is different. We are striving to live like Christ, to do as he did, to follow him. Spiritual writer Richard Rohr, sums up growing in our faith best with these words, "the way up is down." What is this new way to grow?

There’s a saying I heard growing up, said to someone who got more than they expected, they got “the whole enchilada”. Here’s the thing: with God, we get “the whole enchilada” – not part of it, all of it! Grace is about wholeness.