Yes, there is a “season for everything” (including apparently non-gentleness). Yes, we say with Paul that the capacity for gentleness is a fruit of “the Spirit.” Yes, the world seems so entirely lacking in gentleness in this Time. This is also true — There is a Christ-like path and power that is STRONG in gentleness,…
What on earth might Christ’s Peace look like in this world, in this moment? Join us Sunday morning for Week 3 of the current Fruits of the Spirit series. No easy answers, plenty of questions. Some lessons and stories from me… please bring your own to “top of mind.” In Christ’s Peace,Pastor Jacki PS, Speaking…
Well, yes and no. Like many gifts of truth on the spiritual journey, there’s a paradox to understand. A “both-and.” Paul says joy is a “fruit” of the Spirit. A result, an outcome, a product of One who is greater than us. So, it’s not OUR choice? Well, yes and no… Let’s ponder together this…
Yep, it’s hard for me too. As you may guess. But my heart is filled with joy to be concluding vacation in the latter part of this week in one of our special sacred spots. We’re in Grand Marais, Minn. in the far northeast corner of ‘the north shore” of Minnesota, right on Lake Superior’s…
It’s been exactly one year since we announced the capital campaign which eventually was named “Raising the Roof: Restoring Eden’s Sanctuary and Song.” God is great! And we know this through the prayers, creativity, and giving of our community and so many friends. In this year, we have raised around $95,ooo to be added to…
God’s love song… to you. For you. With you. The Prophet says “I have called you by name.” We celebrate God’s handiwork and steadfast love this week, like every week. This week we are mindful of the joyous milestones of baptism and graduation. We will briefly honor and bless our graduates Stephanie Brooks and Isabella…
I’ve enjoyed my time away on my monthly prayer and study retreat this week at “The Port for Prayer” in Frankfort, Illinois. Heading home today. My favorite part? Some brief bouts of sleeping in the sun by the creek! Nothing like being in mother nature to still my heart and mind. I know some of…
Our stories and reflections this month will offer ways to examine this question. What kind of power is Christian in nature? What kind of power is in service of the community Christ would have us build, within and outside of our church walls? We find the theme of boldness and courage very clearly important to…
The theme of honor, honoring etc. has been on my mind a good bit lately. It’s a bit of Eden’s DNA that I think is special, and could be made ever more explicit as a framework for a way of life that would greatly bless this broken world. On this Memorial Day, we acknowledge the…
The altar above was designed last year, early in the pandemic on the theme of “living stones”. That theme is on my heart again as we retell the birthday of the Church (capital C) and Eden in these Pentecost weeks. (Learn more about Pentecost here.) May it be that we indeed feel the significance of…
