Jesus instructed his followers not to judge others.  How's that going for you? In this teaching we examine the difference between judging and offering constructive criticism and the messiness every human being brings to the equation.

Hear first account experience from one who lived with a Palestinian family in the West Bank.

In our exploration of worry, we discover that it's not inherently bad - it can motivate us and protect us. However, Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6 to 'seek first the kingdom of God' instead of worrying about our daily needs. This isn't a call to ignore real-world concerns, but rather an invitation to ground ourselves in a deeper reality. The kingdom of God isn't a distant realm, but a present reality of love that we're already immersed in. By prioritizing this ultimate reality, we can find peace that surpasses understanding, even in the face of life's challenges. This shift in perspective can transform how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us.

In this powerful message offered by Rev. Dr. Angela Barker-Jackson, we're invited to explore the profound concept of welcoming strangers, rooted in Leviticus 19:34. This scripture challenges us to treat strangers as natives and love them as ourselves, reminding us of our own history as strangers. The sermon beautifully connects this ancient text to Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing that holiness is not just an idea, but an active engagement with the world. We're called to embody God's holy character in all spheres of life, creating ripples of change from the inside out. The message encourages us to start by welcoming the stranger within ourselves, those parts we've yet to fully accept or understand. By doing so, we open ourselves to truly welcoming others, expanding our circles of connection and love. This practice of 'revolutionary love' has the power to transform not just individuals, but entire communities and even nations. As we face the chaos of our world, we're reminded that by holding the center together, rooted in God's love, we can create lasting change and pursue God's shalom.

Today, we delve into the profound teachings of Matthew 6:22-23, exploring the concept of the 'eye as the lamp of the body.' This scripture challenges us to examine our spiritual vision and how it impacts our entire being. Are we seeing the world through eyes of generosity and abundance, or through a lens of scarcity and greed? The passage connects deeply with Jesus' warning that we cannot serve both God and wealth, reminding us that our perspective on material possessions can blind us to spiritual truths. As we reflect on this, we're invited to consider: How might our own privileges or financial status create blind spots in our faith journey? By cultivating a 'healthy eye,' we open ourselves to see God's abundance and the needs of others more clearly, potentially transforming not just our own lives, but the world around us.

Consumerism can be exhilarating, but it can also leave us in a perpetual state of never feeling satisfied, in competition with our neighbors, and a little light in our wallet. The Way of Jesus, however, does the opposite, yielding a rewarding life filled with the fruit of the Spirit of God that never runs out. Choose the Way!

This part of the Lord's Prayer seems quite obvious, right? It's airy out to God to come rescue us from the evil that terrorizes us. Well, no. The Aramaic language and Eastern culture of Jesus indicate a different, much more relevant interpretation.

Temptation is a fact of life. How we think about it makes all the difference. Jesus' temptation story provides a framework for understanding categories of temptation and healthy ways to respond.

Forgiving someone who has wronged us is hard work. Not popular. Not fair. Not just. So why are we supposed to do this again?

Jesus taught his disciples to ask God to forgive our debts, trespasses, sins, and more. Easier said than done when done sincerely. Asking for forgiveness implies awareness of our need for forgiveness. That's when things get difficult for us...

Being aware and grateful for our planet's capacity to provide food, and all the hands involved from planting all the way to our meal will help you live in deeper awe and gratitude. Discovering that the Aramaic word for bread is the same as for understanding and wisdom, this line of the prayer takes on new meaning. The Divine Feminine Wisdom is one that is creative, generative, embodying and fostering possibility. Together, we find ourselves full of both kinds of bread, more able to enter the world with strength and direction, both from "above."

Building on the passionate invitation, Thy Kingdom come, the second half of the second line of the Lord's Prayer follows suit, seeking to be fully aligned with the Divine. The more that happens, the more we find ourselves naturally living in response to the winds of the Spirit of God, and less in the way of what Love is trying to build in the world. Less about following rules and sin management, and more about living in deep relationship with the One that unites us all.

It turns out that the second line of the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic requires an entirely different tone than most of us have been advised. WAY different tone. Can we handle it?

The first line of the Lord's Prayer offers much food for thought. Loosen your belt...

This one of a kind Hebrew word has no linguistic equivalent, yet captures the essence of God and offers direction for our individual and collective lives.  Thank you, Dr. Jenny Matheny for hitting it out of the park!

Enjoy the full experience - Michael Gungor leading us in worship, followed by a conversation between Michael and Pete, concluding with a couple more songs, including a soon to be released single from his latest album.

Prayer is complicated and simple all at the same time. The goal? Also complicated. Sometimes we treat God like our personal genie who exists to grant our wishes, or a Divine Super-sized Santa to deliver goodies because we've been so good. Perhaps the greater goal though is simply finding ourselves in the Presence of God where we find all our needs meet on the deepest levels. Presence is where the healing, hope, love, and all the other things that fall under the umbrella of shalom reside. Good news! A lot of smart people offer a lot of wisdom to guide us toward meaningful engagement with God in prayer.

Enjoy this outstanding teaching offer by Rev. Dr. Angie Barker Jackson!

Enjoy this teaching offered by Rev. Dr. Matt Real, working with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and Chapter 25 from Following the Call, "From the Heart."

Enjoy this teaching which dovetails Jesus' instruction to be perfect like our Heavenly Father is perfect and Father's Day...