This week we look at John 18:33-38, Jesus on trial before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Jesus' claim that his kingdom "is not from this world" invites us to think of him as an alien life force. But the truth is much more preposterous - that he was fully human and fully God all at once - hard to get more alien than that. 

This week we look at John 18:33-38, as we explore what kind of king Jesus was. On trial before Pilate, he was asked, "What have you done?" We could hear that question as a call to confession of guilt. It might equally be an invitation to affirm all the good we do. 

This week we look at John 18:33-38, as we explore what kind of king Jesus was. It wasn't any kind the world has ever known - a kingship of vulnerability and humility, even humiliation; of powerlessness. Yet that is where God's power resides. 

Today we look at 1 Samuel 1:4-20, the story of Hannah, who desperately longed for a child, though she appeared unable to bear one. It is a beautiful story of longing and faithfulness, the failure of human relationships and goodness of God. 

This week we look at Mark 13:1-8, in which Jesus talks about the signs that will usher in the end of the world, among them armed conflict. On Veterans Day we reflect on how we might honor those who have fought and served for us while working to usher in God's promised reign of Peace. 

This week we look at Mark 13:1-8, in which Jesus talks about the end of the world - wars, and earthquakes, and famines. That's nothing new - and yet we are called to be people of hope in midst of all circumstances. 

This week we look at Mark 13:1-8, in which Jesus talks about the end of the world. Today we discuss our need to know when things are going to happen, though it rarely helps us deal with them. How can we better live in God's kairos time while dwelling in the world's kronos time? 

This week we look at Mark 13:1-8, in which Jesus talks about the end of the world. Today we explore the impermanence of even what look like eternal buildings - and the eternal life of us, who look so impermanent. 

This week we look at Mark 12:38-44, in which we see what Jesus learns from watching human behavior. What can we notice as we observe people in all their crazy glory?

This week we look at Mark 12:38-44, in which we see someone with little give all she has. Does having less free us to trust more and give more?