"A Sanctuary in the City… Living Faith"

The Pastor’s Blog (Page 2)

The Reverend Dr. Seth E. Weeldreyer’s Blog

The Sea of Galilee

We worship in a boat in the Sea of Galilee. In view are so many places where people would have seen and heard Jesus and experienced God’s love in him—his call to discipleship, teaching, healing, eating meals, sharing ordinary every day life. It is a holy place in its way. And these waters remind me…

The Valley of Armageddon

We overlook the valley of Armageddon from a mount outside Nazareth, Jesus’ home town. This valley is the main route from the ancient civilizations in the Tigris / Euphrates and Nile river regions. And so it has been a source of commerce, culture, and great battles for millennia. Peaceful and green and verdant now. And yet, experience of humanity over many generations inspires the apocalyptic imagery in the Bible and popular culture. More than fanciful “Game of Thrones” prophecy about a literal future place and time, the Bible tries to articulate and connect with realities people would have known, while using the poetry in geography and legendary memory to express the promises of God’s love in, greater than, and transforming all suffering and death to bring abundant life.

Delayed Start to Holy Land

We arrived at the airport in Chicago to find out our first flight to Vienna has been cancelled for a medical emergency on the inbound plane. So we were rerouted through Zurich. And we had no choice but to accept an eleven hour layover. So two overnight flights back to back … what to do…

Dignity in Community

Children and teachers go back to school. Sports. Marching band. Theatre productions. Some many activities get into full swing again. All of us in some way transition from summer fun to regular autumn routines. Fields and orchards abound with a harvest to nourish our taste buds and basic needs. Life flourishes in so many ways—in…

Talk Less

You see, James goes on to admonish the believers to “be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” The epistle writer cautions the readers to be quick to listen and slow to speech, slow to anger. This does not mean that anger does not have its place. This does not mean that we should stand silently by as injustice prevails. This does not mean that we should not ask questions or speak truth when we see deceit. Listen first. Speak second. Then listen some more.

Soul Food

Beyond perishable staples of food to provide instant gratification, Jesus urges: seek the real nourishment of eternal life. You see, often we taste and even feast on something of goodness in life that satisfies some immediate hunger pain. And we expect more of whatever it is will surely make our lives better.

Part of Something Bigger

Some people see it as a huge family reunion. And for many people, it is an occasion to gather with friends unseen for a long time, or meet new kin in Christ. Really, it’s closer to Congress—it’s our national government. This coming weekend, the 223rd General Assembly of our Presbyterian Church (USA) will begin meeting in St. Louis.

Strong Love and Weak Clay

We like pottery in our home. Cups and glasses. Plates and mixing bowls. Vases and urns. Various colors and sizes, similar patterns, yet none exactly the same. Common ordinary vessels of life, with beauty beyond their mere functionality. Each unique piece shaped by hands, most of which we cannot see and will never know, but whose work we cherish. According to Biblical writers, it’s a fitting symbol for who we are in God’s grace—human clay in the loving hands of our Divine Potter.