​​The Christian idea of the Holy Trinity is derived from a careful reading of the Bible, and it’s not just theological inside-baseball talk meant to confuse outsiders. Rather, it’s an important way to understand who God is and what God is calling us to be and do.  youtu.be/hRT4c04PnZc

​The experience of Pentecost shows the church receiving some things at its birth that it continues to need today. The Holy Spirit gives the church power, unity and eloquence. Despite its imperfections, the church can claim those things now as well. youtu.be/EShwrecxv4Q

​Why does personal and inner peace seem so elusive? Perhaps, we’re looking for it in the wrong places. For example, if we turn to the world for peace, we’re likely to find that this peace is too easy, too pat, too transitory. It’s the peace of the graveyard. It’s a peace that flourishes when the sun is shining and shudders when the storms come crashing through our reality. So, to whom can we turn? ​https://youtu.be/FV1cDaCMmII

​Revelation is often associated with destruction, doom and damnation. But the book ends with the promise of a new relationship with God, one that is both intimate and eternal, in which people live in harmony with God’s creation. ​​https://youtu.be/At8Au2B0D9w

​​In this passage, worship and salvation are tied together. We are urged to adopt a form of worship that is also a way of life. We are shown that true worship in the Christian spirit is a way of living. Salvation becomes evident through this understanding of worship/way of life. youtu.be/_CnY7s_FXIs

​Today’s reading tells us that Mary Magdalene awakened on Easter morning “while it was still dark.” As the text goes on to explain what she does next, the reader learns that her actions and those of Peter and John are a template for how we often journey from dark to dawn to the full light of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. This is where we are today: in the light of Easter morning! ​https://youtu.be/1bZXdPLAbXk

God made us to grow in many ways, but how do we measure spiritual growth? In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul gives us three indicators of growth ... an increasing knowledge of Christ, greater confidence in the power of Christ and a deeper sense of purpose to our suffering.​ youtu.be/v2v8SptXE70

 ​Jesus uses the occasion of a question about a human tragedy to call his audience to a life of ongoing repentance as a means to faithful living. The end of such living is the bearing of fruit for God’s mission. This text emphasizes the seriousness of God’s call, but also testifies to God’s patience in achieving his ends.  youtu.be/uU8BYCx2Oy8

​Jesus was seen by some Israelites of his time as a prophet, and by others as a threat. In our text, he is on his way to Jerusalem, where he will proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom and challenge those who may oppose it. As he realizes, he will also encounter the opposition of the religious establishment and the police power of the Roman empire. He is not naive about what lies ahead. He shows us the need for courage to speak the truth to those in power. youtu.be/XP5oufTL3GI

Our culture often tells us to go “toe to toe” with one another when we disagree, and we see that approach now more than ever before in our deeply polarized society. Jesus believed in another way: that when we treat others with mercy, we begin to transform the world around us. We learn to see our commonality with others and to view them as people God loves. We begin to transform the world around us. We learn to see our commonality with others and to view them as people God loves. youtu.be/G00cD1S1o-0