Mark 13:24-37  &  Ezekiel 64:1-9 Advent is here!  We await the arrival of Jesus.  We are NOT awaiting the arrival of baby Jesus for he has already come and gone.  Rather, we await the arrival of Jesus and the consummation of all things in the full presence of the Kingdom of God on earth to put all things to rights. We await the presence of Jesus much sooner than we think.  For wherever there is the least significant of our brothers and sisters, there is Jesus. How can we prepare ourselves this Advent season? Jesus says, "Stay Alert!"

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24  &  Matthew 25:31-46 As we wrap up the Christian year, we celebrate Christ the King. What does it mean for Jesus Christ to be the king Israel always hoped for? We often miss the point of Christ's kingship because we look for power and greatness.  Interesting that much of 1st century Israel missed it for the same reason. Looking back to a prophecy, let's revisit what the Kingdom of God with Christ as King will be about.  Let us consider what it means for us to live into the Kingdom today.

Matthew 25:14-30  &  1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 A Parable and a title... How do we live as "children of light"?  What does it mean for us to live responsibly with our talent? Good questions worth investing time in exploring for us all.  Let's revisit these wonderful passages with hopes that we can emerge with a faith that is based on more than following rules and uttering particularities.

Matthew 25:1-13  &  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Scripture about preparation are always timely.  When Israel was awaiting the arrival of their Messiah, many missed it.  As we prepare for the celebration of Jesus' arrival, many miss it. What does it mean to prepare ourselves? What does it mean to be awake, alert, and alive? What does it mean to be wise? Good questions with answers in our Scripture. Let us consider the meaning of preparation for the arrival of Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13  &  Matthew 23:1-12 Walking the walk is different than talking the talk.  Paul reminds the church in Thessalonica of the way he and his companions walked/lived among them.  They intentionally walked in such a way that demanded nothing from the people of the church.  They walked in such a way that they offered themselves completely to the people out of love.  They allowed their walk to reflect their faith. Jesus calls us to remember who we are: "Little Christs" We are not the "Great Christ" but the "Little Christs (Christians)". Sometimes we get caught up in trying to be great.  Our culture constantly and consistently demands our greatness.  Paul offers a different message. Paul invites them to "walk about" in their faith; to live their every day lives differently.  There is no pressure to make a great a grand gesture to God as a means of "earning" or "impressing" God or others.  Instead, live your walk as a reflection of your faith in the day to day. Let us consider the simplicity of the life of faith we are called to live.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 & Matthew 22:34-46 Paul has been traveling around Asia Minor sharing the good news of the love of God made available through Christ Jesus.  He has encountered hostility, ridicule, slander, abuse, and imprisonment.  He has also had a number of people receive him and his message: some so well that their reputation is known all around the region.  We know this to be the case in Thessalonica. In a world where there were always people peddling new wisdom and religion, what made Paul’s Jesus so convincing to this group of people who became a church? What is it that brings us today to understand the truth of God’s love through Jesus? Paul offers the Thessalonians a word of truth.  We would do well to hear it again for ourselves. Let us understand what made Paul’s life such a powerful witness; that we might believe and become witnesses ourselves.

Matthew 22:15-22 & 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Jesus is confronted about paying the Tribute to Caesar.  He smells their attempt to trap him using logic from a mile away.  He flips the script and puts the decision to them while also giving a monumental command: Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God. No small task. The church in Thessalonica has been living just this way.  Paul writes to them commending them for imitating Christ so well that people from all around the land are talking about them.  They have given to God what is God's because that what Jesus calls us to do and...that's what Jesus did himself. How are we holding back in our day, in our town, in our life, in our family? Perhaps it's time to dig deep and consider where the Caesars of our day are demanding from us what is rightfully Gods. Perhaps it's time for us to be honest with ourselves and consider where we can TURN more to God and imitate Christ Jesus; that we might be transformed entirely.

Matthew 22:1-14 & Philippians 4:1-9 A King throws a party...and everyone is invited.  Not everyone comes, of course, and even one who comes was not really interested in being there. Paul encourages a church divided to "Rejoice in the Lord always, again (he says), Rejoice!!" Rejoice?  Can we find a joy which persists?  What about days when there are mass shootings or diseases taking the life of a loved one?  Can we rejoice always? Perhaps we are looking at this all wrong. Let's consider another way in our quest to find the joy in Christ; that we can both live in joy and be source of joy through which others can find their way to God as well.

Matthew 21:33-46 & Philippians 3:4b-14 Jesus is the stone, the corner stone, which changes everything.  Through the resurrection of Jesus we find the vindication of both this title and our faith.  Paul offers the resurrection of Jesus as a truth for us all; that we may live a life in pursuit of Christ Jesus. How does resurrection influence your daily life? Should it? Could it? Let's consider Paul's message for the church in Philippi in our own day and wonder about what will be.

Philippians 2:1-13 Paul writes to the church in Ephesus from prison.  Apparently, the church in Paul's day dealt with argument and disagreement.  He offers some words of encouragement and instruction to help them come together in Christ. Let us hear those words of Paul's day in our day.