Psychological growth often involves leaving behind coping mechanisms from our past that used to protect us but now harm us. Spiritual growth often involves doing the same with religious coping mechanisms. Seeing this process through requires an ability to look back at our past selves with compassion rather than disdain.
Read MoreThis week we honor the way our Co-Founding Pastor Kyle Hanawalt has shaped our community forever.
Read MoreThere's more to Jesus' three examples of non-retaliation from the Sermon on the Mount -- "turn the other cheek", "let them take your cloak also", and "go the extra mile" -- than it seems on the surface. (Art: "Come Ye Blessed... " from the Sermon on the Mount, by Nathaniel Mokgosi. 1980.)
Read MoreMost of the images Jesus and St. Paul used to describe life are organic things that grow and change -- soil, vines, bodies, families -- rather than manufactured or mechanistic things that follow formulas. There's A LOT of wisdom behind that! (Art by Scott Erickson: @scottthepainter)
Read MoreOn the weekend our country remembers Dr. King, we do a book report on Howard Thurman's "Jesus and the Disinherited" -- reportedly the book Dr. King kept in his pocket during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Thurman is one of the most important theologians in American history, but unfortunately not as well known as he ought to be. (Photo: Book jacket for "Jesus and the Disinherited" by Howard Thurman)
Read MoreHayley and Vince, inspired by both new and ancient things they've read recently, want you to realize that your prayer life is probably in better shape than you think it is! (Art: Book jacket for "A Rhythm of Prayer" edited by Sarah Bessey)
Read MoreHayley Larson reflects for us after our annual take on the traditional Anglican Christmas Carols Service.
Read MoreA specific prayer practice some at BLC find extremely helpful is Emmanuel Prayer. It involves accessing our memories to help us connect with the God who is always with us (Emmanuel means "God with us", and is a name for God we return to often during Advent). Vince interview BLC's Anna Cruz about her experience.
Read MoreThe season of Advent in the church calendar encourages us to annually come back to the theme of "waiting", suggesting how core it is to learn to "wait well" in order to "live well". Hayley and Vince unpack some helpful and some harmful spiritual perspectives on waiting they've encountered (and perhaps you have too?)
Read MoreWe ring in the first Sunday of Advent 2021 with our first visit of the year to some of our favorite Carols, and a look at the song of Mary from Luke 1, according to the First Nations Version of the English New Testament.
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