What's Saving Your Life Right Now? I: The Practice of Waking Up to God! Vision

Eastertide

April 7, 2024 • Squire Prince • Genesis 28:10–19

It may seem elementary, but I want to start our reflection today with a question, have you ever wanted more out of God? I mean yes we come here on Sundays, we sing, one of the ministers speaks a few words of hope to us, we rub on Minister Doogie, and then we go home. At some point you have to wonder, is that all there is, God? Isn’t there more? I mean what happened to the God of five loaves and two fish? What about the parting of the waters in Exodus? At Least you can turn this cup of water into wine…. I mean coffee, God!

 

Barbara Brown Taylor in her book "An Altar in the World" helps to remove the scales from our eyes to the greater dimensions of God’s presence in the world around us. She points out that all of us in a sense, have a longing for an experience with the one we call God, and maybe that experience, that treasure, that Divine Spirit is right under our noses. A priest once asked Barbara to come speak at his church, and when she asked what he wanted her to talk about, he simply said “come tell us what is saving your life right now”[1].


[1]Taylor, B. B. (2010). An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith. HarperOne.

 

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May 19, 2024 • Christine V. Hides • Matthew 22:34–40

Kenilworth Union Church roots its mission in two verses: Micah 6:8 and the Greatest Commandment from Matthew’s gospel we just heard. These are carved in stone over the cloister walk. When Jesus was asked this trick question, he knew the answer because he grew up learning scripture. Maybe his youth leaders said something like what we say every Wednesday night at youth group: here in this church we have one rule and it is the only rule we need. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.   Love God. Love neighbor. So simple and easy to remember. Barbara Brown Taylor isn’t the first person to point out that we can love God and love our neighbor no matter what we are doing: playing soccer, taking out the trash, having recess on the playground, going to school, or working as an investment banker or making milkshakes at Dairy Queen.