Matthew 10:24-39 June 25, 2023 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth,” Jesus said. “I have not come to bring peace but a sword…” (Matthew 10:34, NRSV) When my son Ryan came home from college in mid-May, we went from being a household of two drivers with two carsContinue reading ““Not Peace But a Sword””
Category Archives: Authentic self
“Showing Our Scars”
John 20:19-31 April 16, 2023 “After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord….Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answeredContinue reading ““Showing Our Scars””
Lent 1: Temptation
Matthew 4:1-11 February 26, 2023 – 1st Sunday of Lent Rev. Deborah Beloved Church Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. (Matthew 4:1, NRSV) Today’s Gospel reading, as we heard, is the story of Jesus’s 40 days in the wilderness. The story of Jesus beingContinue reading “Lent 1: Temptation”
“Pick Up Your Mat and Walk”
John 5:1-9 May 22, 2022 When Jesus saw him lying there, knowing that he had already been there a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I don’t have anyone who can put me in the water when it is stirred up. When I’m tryingContinue reading ““Pick Up Your Mat and Walk””
“Small Changes, Big Difference: No More People-Pleasing!”
Luke 19:28-40 April 10, 2022 – 6th Sunday of Lent/Palm Sunday I have a long history of being a people-pleaser, having learned at an early age the value of making the people around me happy. As a child, I learned that measuring up to others’ expectations was easier than exploring my own, and that meetingContinue reading ““Small Changes, Big Difference: No More People-Pleasing!””
“Small Changes, Big Difference: The devil’s offers”
Luke 4:1-13 March 6, 2022 – 1st Sunday of Lent When the devil had finished every test, he departed from [Jesus] until an opportune time. (Luke 4:13, NRSV) I’m kind of lazy. I don’t exercise enough. I don’t eat very well, especially when I’m by myself. I lay in bed at night playing word gamesContinue reading ““Small Changes, Big Difference: The devil’s offers””
[“Blessed Are You Who Know You Don’t Have Your Sh*t Together!”]
a.k.a. “Blessed Are You Who Know Your Need” Luke 6:17-26 February 13, 2022 Then he looked up at his disciples and said, “Blessed are you…” (Luke 6:20a, NRSV) I’m going to read that familiar passage from The Message now; I think that will help us hear it with fresh ears: “Coming down off the mountainContinue reading “[“Blessed Are You Who Know You Don’t Have Your Sh*t Together!”]“
“Whole and Healed”
“Are any among you suffering? Are any cheerful? Are any among you sick?” In those three questions, pretty much all possible states of existence are covered! And in response to all three of them, James says, effectively, “Turn to God. Remember God. Call on your faith.” As part of a community of faith….
“Blessed By Hard Battles”
Matthew 5:1-12 Rev. Deborah Church Worley February 2, 2020 White Rock Presbyterian Church When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Continue reading ““Blessed By Hard Battles””
“Child of God, You Are Set Free!”
Luke13:10-13 Rev. Deborah Church Worley Aug. 25, 2019 White Rock Presbyterian Church “And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are setContinue reading ““Child of God, You Are Set Free!””
Rev. Deborah Beloved Church (aka "Pastor Deb") 