​In the gospel reading for today, Jesus seems to be preparing his recently appointed disciples for both the brickbats and bouquets that await them. His words are a kindly reality check. Preaching a Gospel of repentance will not always be perceived as a welcoming Gospel. The disciples will not always be feted with parades and applause, nor will they be free from hostility and pushback. No doubt a mix of cheers and jeers will be the norm. Perhaps you, too, have felt the sting of that opprobrium when your commitment to Jesus and his values came to light. youtu.be/tnuymiiTivs

youtu.be/Gl2tw7TzOwo​Jesus promises that there are many dwelling places “in [the] Father’s house.” Sometimes we think of God’s house as a tiny one, with room for only a chosen few. God desires to expand our understanding and answer the call to spread the good news so that everyone can find their place in the kingdom of God. Along the way, we grow as disciples, and our own “house” expands too.  

​The Trinity is based on the belief that the one God is revealed in three distinct persons. While that concept and belief is not an easy one to grasp, the fact is that God meets us and teaches us and helps us in many ways. God appears in different ways at different times to draw us to salvation and to godly living. The Trinity is a way to explain that God is for everyone. youtu.be/QJ1KbQjoC0w

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Ascension Day introduces us to a level of thought and of power that is more exciting and challenging than we have begun to imagine.

​We may wonder about how other people in our lives and in society in general evaluate us. A more important question, though, especially because of our sinfulness, is what value we have for God. Our text tells us that we are so valued in God’s sight that the Son of God gave his life to restore us to fellowship with God. This was, in fact, God’s plan “before the foundation of the world.” youtu.be/NZBBFsNJu58

​​If you have honest doubts about Jesus’ resurrection, you have nothing to be ashamed about. You are in some very distinguished Christian company. Jesus’ earliest and most devoted followers — not only “doubting Thomas,” but all of them — did not believe in his resurrection either. Not at first. But then ....  youtu.be/Low-yZs3wEw

​We can view our journey through Lent as a process of coming to the light of Christ.
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