Across Church Street
Here, Like There
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ⏤ 2 Cor. 5:20
On earth as it is in heaven. Many would have us believe that heaven is a place of escape when we die. But it's better to view heaven as the capital of another realm with a different government, a benevolent governance, and a distinctly different culture. We are its ambassadors here, representing that culture.
Inviting Invasion
Your kingdom come. God is altogether other. His kingdom is a rule of love. This kingdom comes as more and more people surrender to his rule in their work, play, relationships — all of life. That seems other. That seems like one culture invading another. With God-like, Jesus-like love, of course!
Litmus
This is the happiest time of year for our hydrangeas. As the blooms open wide, they look bright and fresh. The flowers are fascinating. Their color reveals something about the soil they're planted in. Pink blooms indicate an alkaline soil. Blue ones, a more acidic pH. It's like litmus paper in chemistry class, only reversed. Our presentation to others has litmus qualities as well. What ground are we rooted in: the world or God's kingdom?
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- poverty & mercy
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
- justice
- scripture
- spiritual life
- advent & christmas
- imagination & creativity
- technology & AI
- knowing God
- human dignity
- faith & trust
- incarnation & cross
- kingdom of God
- community
- reconciliation
- spiritual formation
- epistemology
- prayer
- gratitude
- culture
- creation & nature
- discipleship
I practice the spiritual discipline of rescuing earthworms on paved surfaces. It's a reminder to me that I can pause what I'm doing, get a little dirty, and help. Also, that I've been given the responsibility to care.