In the early church a complaint arose as it does when human beings worship together.
With the Holy Spirit’s guidance the people came to an agreement. Striving to be one people, they chose participation in God’s expanding love in the world.
In the world a conflict arose as it does when human beings live with one another.
Falsehoods and lies spread in the community against others. And Stephen was stoned to death.
Let us pray,
Guide us to see complaints and conflicts as opportunities to listen to one another. Impassion us with deep desire to hear and include all voices that we might live into the one human family you created us to be. 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 Senior 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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