Sundays with Bishop Ken

There are only 24 days until Christmas and they're likely to get busier every day we get closer to it. Today is the first Sunday of Advent, and the church will light the first of four candles on the wreath. Spend some time with us as we reflect on Bishop Ken's words and create intentional space for the reason for the season.

When Jesus says that his kingdom "does not belong to this world" he isn't saying that it does not involve this world. Indeed it does. God has plans for creation - and the ultimate plan is called "the kingdom of God." But the values and principles that belong to the world as we know it, are not the values and principles of God. Reflect on this in today's reading.

"It's not the end of the world." It is a phrase we hear throughout our lives, trying to tell us that nothing will ever be so bad as "the end of it all." But this fear mongering is not how the Lord wants us to look at this event. It is the birth, the wonderous transformation of all that is good - in us, in others, in all creation. And when it comes to goodness, there is no death, for we are in the hands of a good and loving God. Reflect on this more with Bishop Ken today. 

We are often told that if we give everything we have, that we will "burn out" or extinguish ourselves, but the Lord teaches us repeatedly that to give joyfully and generously is how we become fulfilled. In today's reading, we reflect more upon His desire for us to share ourselves, our time, our caring, and the things that we possess with others. 

A stagnant life goes no where. In today's reading, we reflect on the concept of growth and how personal growth is directly related to our relationship to God and his children. We must be open to it. We have to listen to each new generation, and we have to be willing to grow. That involves risks, and it takes courage. But it is much better than a life that would simply be a treadmill, living out our days in boredom, looking back to a time of life that once was and never will be again. Explore this more with Bishop Ken in today's reading.

In today's reading with Bishop Ken, we reflect on the story of Bartimaeus - the beggar whom Jesus restored his sight. Bartimaeus was given an open ended question, "What do you want me to do for you?" If you stood in that place, being given a golden ticket to ask for the Lord to do anything for you, what would you ask for? Let us pray and reflect.

Jesus taught us a way of life that is magnificent... but also difficult. To believe in his way of life is to be in the minority of the world's population. At times it can be difficult, even risky. We need to support one another. That is how the kingdom of God comes about, and that is how we get a place in the kingdom. Explore more in today's reading with Bishop Ken.

Have you ever gotten a text where you misread the tone entirely? Sometimes tone and intent get lost in the written word. Today we explore a moment with Jesus where you could read him as being incredibly dismissive and unkind - but that is not our Lord. Join us as we examine this interaction from a place of love, kindness, and honesty today with Bishop Ken.

Jesus addresses a difficult teaching about divorce in today's Gospel. There are differing schools of thought on the meaning of this passage. Which one resonates with you?  

The Lord thinks more of us than we do, and He knows what we can do with God's grace. Because of this, he calls us to do great things, even having mercy on us when we fail. It is our calling to have arms wide open in both expectation and in mercy. In today's reading, we will reflect on this concept with Bishop Ken.