Zao MKE Church

Thanksgiving can be complicated. What if our gratitude could be an act of resistance? By centering Indigenous wisdom, the teachings of Jesus, and practices of reciprocity, we can move from shallow tradition to a deeper, more honest celebration of life, connection, and care for creation.

It's a big week, y'all. And whether this Tuesday has you biting your nails, planning a victory party, or throwing your hands up in despair, we see you. But the hope we have in God - and God's people - is firmer than any promise we can receive from earthly power brokers. Let's ground ourselves in the hope of the Gospel and prepare our hearts for whatever comes next.

The gifts God gives to us are meant for the benefit of all, and we are blessed when others are blessed. In a world of competition and scarcity, it feels counterintuitive - but in God's Kingdom, no one is free until we're all free.

God makes some big promises: life abundant, resurrection, liberation... when it's hard to believe in big promises, sometimes we try and make it on our own - to our detriment. Can we lose God's promise or will God find a way regardless?

It can be so hard to reach understanding among people with different identities, perspectives, languages and cultures. But what if that’s part of God’s design? Difference is a gift, and it can bring us closer to holiness - if we learn to trust each other and God.

Just a few short chapters after the creation story, The Flood comes crashing down to wipe away most of humanity. How do we make sense of this? Did God really just etch-a-sketch creation?

So the first big plot point after humanity's expulsion from the garden is... fratricide. This story is coming in hot with drama, but what does it say about the nature of people? Are we doomed to be violent from the start?

We think we know the story of The Fall, right? Adam, Eve, Snake, Apple, Bummer Town. But how many different ways are there to interpret this story?

The Bible starts out with one creation story (in the beginning...) and then the next chapter, we etch-a-sketch and start again. A new creation story, with a different order of events, characters, and vibes. What gives? And how do we trust the Bible when it can't agree with itself from page one?