What does it take to actually be truly cheerful about your giving in a “no good deed goes unpunished” world? Pastor Mara explores connections between Brene Brown’s work on boundaries and generosity and Paul’s instruction that we should avoid regret in our giving.
Some people interpret the Parable of the Talents as a warning against laziness. Pastor Mara wonders whether this is actually only the bare minimum of Jesus’ intention in the parable. Maybe faithfulness looks like taking some risks with what God has given us.
Two things happen at the same time when Jesus declares that salvation has come to Zacchaeus and his house: his relationship with money is transformed and he is restored to his place in the community. What does this mean for how we live with our money and our community?
What Times Square in New York City and Proverbs 8 have in common: they’re both a crossroads where voices compete for your attention. Whose advice will we heed? Pastor Mara explores how we can tune in to the voice of Lady Wisdom, whose way offers life. Pastor Mara presents a guide for those seeking God’s…
The Holy Spirit speaks our languages. Pastor Mara explores why this is good news.
Pastor Mara puts gun violence and polarization in conversation with the story of Paul and Silas not running from the jail after their chains were loosed. How might we, like Paul and Silas and the jailer, move from the rules of empire to the rules of the Kingdom of God?
Saul was on a mission to keep the peace among the Jews by killing Christians until God stopped him. Ananias lived in fear of Saul until God stopped him. Pastor Mara explores how the intersection of Saul’s and Ananias’ lives informs our response to police killing people of color while trying to keep the peace.
Centuries of shame have been piled upon Thomas because he asked for evidence before he would believe that Jesus rose from the dead. But Jesus doesn’t shame him. In fact, question-askers, doubters, and curious people have been a blessing to the church throughout the ages despite the institutional church’s efforts to silence them. Click the…
What might the central rule of improv comedy (Yes, And…) have to do with how we respond to the resurrection?
Have you ever noticed that the animal Jesus rode into Jerusalem was an adolescent donkey that had never been ridden? Yet the crowd acted like he rode a war horse. Pastor Mara ponders how our unexamined notions of salvation lead us to mistake what Jesus is actually about. Click the gray video icon in the…
