Listen in as we welcome Rev. Samuel Caraballo, who shares his heart on how gloriously God meets us in our journeys, just as God did for those who sought out Jesus from far away so long ago.

Mary—a young, poor virgin of no particular importance or pedigree—is selected by God to give birth to the messiah. And when this messiah comes, he doesn’t come through any of the expected channels. He is not born to wealth or a family the country would perceive as honorable or important. And, yet, in spite of the unlikeliness and … Continue reading "The Glorious Impossible // Christmas: Holiness Invading the Ordinary // Kate Murphy"

Our Advent theme this year is The Glorious Impossible because that is what comes with the birth of Jesus—a hope, a peace, a joy, and love that we believed weren’t possible. This impossible goodness is the glory of God—and it is for us, not against us. We don’t have to earn it or make it, God is already … Continue reading "The Glorious Impossible // Advent: Believing in Things That Can’t Be Stopped // Kate Murphy"

Years ago, artist and author Madeleine L’Engle coined a beautiful phrase that describes the incarnation. “The birth of Jesus,” she writes, “is a glorious impossible. It cannot be explained, it can only be rejoiced in.” So the question for us becomes how do we embrace and celebrate the glorious impossible? How do we reconcile impossibility come by … Continue reading "The Glorious Impossible // Advent: Refusing to Settle for What’s Easy to Understand // Kate Murphy"

If God loves us, then why is everything so bad? Why won’t God fix it? If God is all-powerful, then why is it still not better?  If we’re honest, these are the anguished questions we all ask in times of deep suffering. This week, our series on the holiness of small things takes an unexpected turn. We’re looking at the Apostle Paul’s thorn … Continue reading "The Holiness of Small Things // Small Sufferings: When a Little Is All We Can Handle // Kate Murphy"

This month we’re learning the Kingdom truth that God works through small acts of faithfulness done in great love. We’re learning not to despise or discount a person, a ministry, or a gift simply because it is little. We’re learning not to assume that everything that God does is only ever big. But we also have to … Continue reading "The Holiness of Small Things // Small Reserves: When a Little Is All We Have Left // Kate Murphy"

This Sunday, we face something about ourselves: we are small. Yes, God is big. But we are small. And, in America, we think that nothing small is good. We think that only big, popular, powerful things matter. Whether we realize it or not, we think and believe that small is irrelevant; small is embarrassing. But “God chose the lowly things of this world … Continue reading "The Holiness of Small Things // Small Beginnings: When a Little Is All We Have To Get Started // Kate Murphy"

This Sunday, we wrap up our series with the fierce, final words of the prophet Amos. Unexpectedly, these words will be the most difficult to hear. They differ markedly from what came before, so much so that some scholars presume the words must be written by someone else. But I don’t think so. It’s just … Continue reading "Let Justice Roll Down: The Words of Amos // Hope Inspires Our Hunger for Transformation // Kate Murphy"

“Let justice roll down like a mighty river, righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” This is Amos’ greatest hit. We love to sing these words; we revel in their poetic power. But, they aren’t art. They are the desperate prayer of a prophet—and they are also God’s answer to that prayer. And to those of us who trust Jesus and love his … Continue reading "Let Justice Roll Down: The Words of Amos // Injustice Invalidates Our Sacrifice // Kate Murphy"

Last Sunday, we met Amos—an outsider prophet who loved God and people enough to tell the truth, even when it was painful, risky, and had very little chance of producing change (you can watch and listen to the message on Facebook Live!). This Sunday, we move from who to what. What was so terribly wrong in … Continue reading "Let Justice Roll Down: The Words of Amos // Injustice Invalidates Our Worship // Kate Murphy"