In The Living of These Days

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God!   All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.   They feast on the abundance of your house,  and you give them drink from the river of your delights.   For with you is the fountain of life;  in your light we see light." - Psalm 36:7-9 We get this week in these words images of baptism, of drinking, of water being the fountain of life.  We are preparing this Sunday to hear words about life, about water, about light, about dancing, and about partying.  Partying, or celebration, means nothing without having known the opposite.  Rejoicing doesn't mean one iota unless we know sorrow, sadness, darkness. The people of Flint know darkness, sadness, and what it is not to have clean water to drink.  Some people in our own community know what it is not to have heat, or power, or money to buy food, or shelter, or clothing.  Some of us reading this might know disappointment, hurt, he...

" Do not be conformed to this world,  but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2 Paul is encouraging transformation for the Romans.  Transformation, literally to be formed around... to be formed around the renewing of your minds that you might discern the will of God.  God's will is different from the world, God's will desires life not death, light, not darkness.  This week in the life of the church we celebrate Epiphany, which means revealing or manifestation. God reveals God's purposes to the world in baby Jesus.  These purposes are love, redemption, salvation, transformation.  The world doesn't get the final say, God does.  Transformation is more than a head game, it's a life action.  When you've encountered God and God's revelation, you can't ever be the same again.  God does not leave you as you came, you're always ...