The old prayer speaks of God "in whose service is perfect freedom." The paradox is not as opaque as it sounds. It means that to obey Love itself, which above all else wishes us well, leaves us the freedom to be the best and gladdest that we have it in us to become. The only freedom Love denies us is the freedom to destroy ourselves ultimately.
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
“As I begin my official tenure with SJC, you can expect to see me working toward this New Beginning, as Anna Kay and Rob have so named it many times. We are indeed living in a new world now, and a big part of my mission is to help us continue to grow in our offerings as we eagerly plan for the kickoff of a new program year in September.” -Olin Johannessen, Director of Technology Integration / Associate of Music & Youth Ministries
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
For a long time I didn’t even know his name, he was just the small, white-haired, elderly man I looked forward to greeting on Sunday morning. Eventually I learned their names, Philip and Dan. So then I had a name to go with that special man and the special place he always sat -- I was a Philip groupie. . .
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
When Reverend Rob invited us to consider silver linings from our months of COVID lockdown, I thought, “What a great idea.” Then I thought back to those months. The past winter seemed especially like a graveyard of hopes, and a time of political darkness, and starvation for the conviviality of human company outside my family.
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Friends and connections made, both among my fellow volunteers and clients, counterbalanced my solitude resulting from the required quarantine, and will remain with me long after this 'masked time'. But, perhaps the greatest rewards for me are the expressions of thanks and gratitude received for the bit part my contributions made to the entire operation.
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Daily Reflection | Connected in Christ
Out of the silence let the only real news come, which is sad news before it is glad news and that is fairy tale last of all. The preacher is not brave enough to be literally silent for long, and since it is his calling to speak the truth with love, even if he were brave enough, he would not be silent for long because we are none of us very good at silence. It says too much.