A well known proverb: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...

If we are not these, we are likely (A) Always talking, (S) Strongly opinionated and a (S) Safety concern.

Instead, let's be safe spaces where others are heard as we seek to live within mutual reciprocity. This is the place where we can speak truth in love.

Sin is our failure to love God and others. Though the consequences of our sin disastrous, its beginnings can be small, a whim, a thought. In this conversation, we talk about the good, bad and the ugly as we discuss about the temptations that leads us to sin.

Any talk on money and economic classes can feel more than uncomfortable in the church.

Why is that?

Wealth, money and class is a fairly common topic in the New Testament (and the entire scope of the Scripture for that matter). Yet, it's hard for us to talk about.

Why is that?

Before talking about giving, James provides a serious commentary on our spiritual disposition towards our financial situation(s). In other words, this conversation is an opportunity to examine how we view ourselves with money.

Also, check out this video before listening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asnQGz7BdfI

Having wisdom isn’t about being smart. But it is a way of being.

Wisdom is the mode of BEING before God, relationally fueled by living with Jesus.

Walking.

Talking.

Listening.

Responding.

Those who are wise believe God wants best for them and others.

Life-Long Devotion requires Forward Motion. Movement. Faithful Perseverance. Pressing on...

Are there any open water swimmers here?

One of the ways to begin to discern moving forward is by understanding what is moving against us. Let's understand what it means to persevere (James 1:2-4) by borrowing from James analogy of "the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:6).

What is a seemingly small place and time where God wants to visit you? It’s the little things that give birth to God’s greatest revelations.

Liturgy is attached (with questions)!

What makes our favorite carols timeless?

Timeless carols…

… profess saving truth.

…… proclaim redemptive goodness.

……… praise God’s Beauty-FULL love!

Truth, Goodness and Beauty. These are classically known as the “transcendentals.” They find their fullest essence in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Merry Christmas!

You had to be there. This was a sacred space to reflect together on a few biblical passages that encapsulate the Christmas season. We also practiced Visio Divina (ie. "sacred seeing").

This is our attempt at sharing some of that time with you.

You had to be there. Join us on Sundays.

"Emmanuel-Creativity" means to create space to create with God.

Beautiful. Beneficial. This sort of making loves God and the world.

These spaces help us find our true selves.

"The key to cultural renewal in any society is for artists to dive completely into the liturgy and the noetic prayer of the church, and then do whatever they are moved to do in their artistic lives.” ~ Timothy Patitsas, Ethics of Beauty.

Christmas celebrates the incarnation, our Creator God entering into creation. Jesus is our maker and our mender. We are re-created to be beautiful children of God, resurrected to participate in God’s creative purposes. In Christ, WE find our original purpose. WE are created to create… beauty.