John points to Jesus.
And two follow.
Jesus called to Philip.
And Philip found Nathanael.
Beckoning spirit, we crave you.
We ache for connections and peace and wholeness.
All around us we see hatred, brinkmanship, and suffering neighbors.
Why? How did we get here?
How did we get here? Why do we play at war when you teach us to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly?
What prevents us from living true to your breath which gives us life?
Open our hearts and minds.
Touch your image within us, make us one with you.
Make us one with each other.
As you created us to be.
Christ beckons: “Come and See.”
Let us follow and become glimpses of you in our world.
Let us begin in this hour.
Let us worship and learn.
Open us to Christ’s transformation.
Amen.
Tim strives to share God’s extravagant love for all–no matter what & without strings. Seeking to follow the lure of the Spirit, Tim writes about what it means to be a follower of Jesus in an era where Christianity has come to be associated with hatred and political wedge issues. “Heinous things have been said & done (& still are) in the name of the One who breathed in the Divine,” notes Tim, “but Jesus shows us that God loves extravagantly.” Following the teachings and life of Jesus is about inclusion not exclusion. It is about compassion, grace, and admitting no one has all the answers. It is about responding lovingly to the best of our human ability. It is about people not institutions. It is about social justice. It is about caring for creation. It is about being who we were each created to be. Tim is a former early childhood educator, a runner, a hiker, a devoted husband, father of two adult children and their spouses, and a grandfather of four perfect grandchildren. Tim serves as Lead Pastor of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Albany, Oregon. He writes from home, from the coffee shop, and wherever the trail leads him.
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