What kind of shame do we hold because of things we’ve been taught we have done “wrong,” or because of parts of our life we’ve been told are “wrong”? Though many in the church hold to his lineage, Jonathan Edwards’ approach to condemning humanity as beyond God’s love is not only wrong, it’s unBiblical. There is a more faithful, scripturally attuned invitation for us as the Body of Christ.

Rachel Held Evans states, “Certainty isn’t faith.” The life of the disciple Simon Peter gives us a great example of how a life of following Jesus doesn’t have to be marked with clear knowledge, perfect discipline, or unquestionable faith. Instead of having to be a Biblical know-it-all, Christ simply calls us to follow.

“Why are you a Christian?” This is the opening question in Rachel Held Evans book, Wholehearted Faith. How would you answer this? It is because of the people around you who invited you to church or encouraged you in the faith? Or is it because of the witnes of God’s love seen in Christ? Why are YOU a Christian?

On Labor Day weekend, we may be reminded of the origins of Labor Day, which offered a brief pause into the normal work-week structure during the Second Industrial Revolution (1882). But did Labor Day go far enough in shifting how we labor? The apostle Paul, writing in Romans, claims we need an even greater shift in how we labor.

The promise of Revelation is that we are returned to the intimacy with God that existed in the Garden.

Pentecost offered an invitation to be “the body of Christ”, and an invitation to share in community in a way never done before.

Following the arrival of the people Israel in the Promised Land, judges were appointed to ensure the people lived according to the covenant. But Israel wanted kings at their head, instead of judges, so that they might “be like the other nations.” Samuel, nor God, were pleased with the request. Let us not forget, Israel wasn’t called to live like other nations.