When we talk about God & money, questions arise. We get feelings. We may have some objections...

Yet, we all would agree that our call as followers of Jesus is to be generous.

What then is the path?

Do not judge… If someone had a corrective word for us, how would you want to receive it?

Our guess is with grace and mercy.

Here’s an easy follow-up: What would others want from you?

Do not judge—stated as a positive would be—be merciful.

Have a listen.

Matt. 7:1-12, 12

Jesus: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you… So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Worry is a strategy that guards us from becoming vulnerable. The antidote to worry which causes anxiety which can cause panic is… trust.

Trust means vulnerably reaching out to God and to others AND asking for help.

Trust means knowing God will provide, even if the provision doesn’t look like what we anticipated.

Trust says "I am loved no matter what; I live in the unshakable Kingdom of God."

Trust.

Jesus says, “Do not worry…”

Jesus Wept (John 11:35). This is potentially the most simple yet profound Scripture there is.

When Jesus walks into the reality that someone he loves dearly dies, he doesn’t ignore his pain. Jesus doesn't give a sermon. He certainly doesn't try to rationalize the situation.

Jesus, the God of our universe, does the most human thing and the most Godly thing one could do in a situation. He weeps.

We mourn the death of our dear friend and sister, Olivia Andrade Nobre. Olivia is kind, gentle and compassionate, an amazing listener.

We miss her.

We weep.

…

Funeral Services were held at Holy Cross Cemetery on Wednesday 03/23/22 at 1pm

Her grave is near the back left corner when you enter at 4470 Hilltop Dr., San Diego, CA 92102.

It seems that Jesus almost constantly confronts the legalistic leader of his day.

Why?

Why is legalism so dangerous.

It's blinds us.... from many things, including God's love. Have a listen as we learn how to step away from our legalistic tendencies.

There is one step that matters more than others.

It is fairly well known that Jesus call us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:38-48). Why is this call so vitally important to our Christian Spiritual formation?

If we are not loving our enemies, we are perpetuating a system of hatred. By the very choice to have an "enemy” (even a tough person or despised competition), we create two enemies:

1) Our enemy that we fabricate and...

2) An enemy for our enemy that is me.

What is the first step out of the system? Praying for them...

What can that prayer look like?

Honesty is a rare commodity these days. The truth about lying is it against a little while costing us so much. Join us for this honest discussion.

How do we experience wholeness in sex and sexuality?

We need to...

1) understand the (historical) confusions regarding these topics,

2) learn to share our pain without shame

3) AND

... seek healing in our sexual brokenness,

... fight against systems of sexual injustice

... & effort towards committed marriages.

Yes. There is much said on this topic. There is also much left unsaid.

May we be a community where we are able to process these multi-faceted realities freely. May we be a church that confesses freely without shame.

Anger is common. It results from sadness and grief. We are angry when threatened and/ or have unmet expectations.

We are angry with ourselves, with God and with others.

If reconciliation is the goal (and it is… Matt. 5:24), how can our anger be diffused and therefore prevent (further) violence?

The blessings of the Beatitudes is not about a future reward. They are not even entrance requirements. They are an orientation of the heart that leads us to live Jesus.

The beatitudes is an invitation to live the right way.