What do you expect from God if you pray? Jesus’ take is that of course you should expect good gifts. Vince leads us in reflecting on what can make this hard for some of us to operate with this foundational assumption, and on the unique role fathers have in helping us form this foundation.
Read MoreA vision or message is nothing without people to carry it. With help from various Brown Line Vineyard team leaders, Vince leads us in saying thank you to all our volunteers, and reflects on the way this church’s vision has been influenced by St. Paul’s message about Jesus in Acts 17: born out of respect for wider culture, not being against wider culture.
Read MoreIt is remarkably easy to become “too much talk, not enough action” in 21st century America: we announce what we’re about with signs in our windows or yards, by “liking” good causes on Facebook, and by maintaining how we appear to others. In religious settings, this is reinforced all the more with a focus on holding the “right” beliefs and opinions. But, in our experience, life is really found in asking the hard question: what action do my beliefs and opinions produce? There’s actually a book in the Bible all about this human struggle to be “less talk, more action”: the book of James.
Read MoreBiblical and historical imagery of God as "a good mother" can powerfully connect us with the heart of Jesus. And so can our own experiences and memories with mothers or mother-figures. Kyle shares some of his own story along these lines.
Read MoreVince shares about the helpfulness of coming to think of himself as “a sinner”, which hasn’t led him to debilitating shame or self-righteousness or judgment of others, but rather to freedom and personal growth and compassion toward himself (and others).
Read MoreNo one can do life alone. Vince shares some examples of how people care for each other in this community, but also shares about the reality that, like most good things, a community of care doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality, effort, overcoming obstacles, and above all, considering how the flow of love into us (from God and from others) is linked to the flow of love out of us.
Read MoreStories of redemption tap into something deep in the human heart. Easter Sunday is all about redemption after regret, resurrection after death. Kyle shares what it has meant for him to experience not just healing from past hurts, brokennesses, or failures, but to experience those hurts, brokennesses, and failures be miraculously redeemed and actually bring good into the world.
Read MoreToday's prayer guide includes the song "Bless the Lord my Soul" (a Taize refrain), led by Brown Line Vineyard's old friend Katie Younkie-Sahyouni and recorded in 2016.
Read MoreToday’s prayer guide leads us in a reflection and prayer for Good Friday.
Read MoreToday's prayer guide leads us in a quieting exercise.
Read More
