Peace and Forgiveness – John 20:19-31

/
Peace and Forgiveness – John 20:19-31

Forgiveness is the path that gets us to wholeness… to shalom (peace with God, ourselves, and others). In these handful of verses, Jesus lays out both the power we have and the opportunity at our fingertips to create peace… or not.

If we can do the culturally hard work of embracing the forgiveness that God so freely offers us and encourages us to share with others, we will naturally be happier, healthier people who will, as a consequence, naturally bring joy and peace to others. Forgiveness is a critical way we expand the Kingdom of God and bring life-giving change into our homes and our community. Isn’t it worth the effort?

Read More

John 20 – The Breath of Life

/
John 20 – The Breath of Life

Jesus shared His life-giving breath with the surprised, confused, and perhaps terrified disciples in that locked room. Recalling God breathing the breath of life into the first humans (Genesis 2:7), Jesus literally breathed His active, resurrected, life-giving breath into the disciples so that His life force – the Holy Spirit – would be in them. As an act of intense love, Jesus gave them “Spiritual CPR” so that they could, in turn, be empowered to go out and give this new life to others.

Equipped with God’s mysterious presence within them, Jesus sent the disciples out of their protective, locked rooms so that they could share the Good News of God’s love. As Jesus’ disciples today, God is asking us, urging us, drawing us to GO into a hungry, hurting world with the best news of all: the Creator of the Universe created you, knows you, loves you, and welcomes you into the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of peace.

Read More

John 20:19-31 and Acts 4:32-35 – Rev. Blake Busick – Awaken to Life

/
John 20:19-31 and Acts 4:32-35 – Rev. Blake Busick – Awaken to Life

You are made in the image of God, and you are completely and eternally loved, and therefore have great value and worth. And God is a God of of perfect love and eternal joy that overcomes evil and shatters our illusions. These are the realities to base our life on. And it changes everything when we do that.
The only weapons that really defeat evil, injustice and oppression, in whatever forms they present themselves are love, and joy. That’s what Jesus showed us in His death and resurrection, in His crucifixion, and in His rising from the grave is that those are God’s weapons to defeat evil: love and joy.
And so, this season I invite you to join me and Thomas to awaken, awaken to Jesus, awaken to love, awaken to joy.

Read More

Peace Be with You – John 20:19-31

/
Peace Be with You – John 20:19-31

When Jesus says, “Shalom be with you,” He’s saying, “May every aspect of the Kingdom of God in its fullness be with you so that, instead of worrying, you can focus on experiencing and sharing God’s love.” It’s a lot easier to say shalom! Jesus was telling His disciples – and telling us today – that He wants them and us to feel a wholeness and completeness… with God, with the world, within ourselves, and with each other.

Read More