Suffering, heartache, pain, and uncertainty is no fun. And it's especially difficult when we feel like we have to bear it all alone. Yet we are reluctant to invite others into our tragedies. Whether it is fear of being seen as vulnerable or weak, or our desire to not cause a fuss, we don't very often call on people when we need them the most. But how much easier would the hard things be if we did them with others? Jesus' palm parade into Jerusalem before his death was more than a show of support, it was the community of the faithful doing what it does best - showing up for each other. Who can you invite to show up with you when the chips are down? Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH64HdNR-8o

While none of us get out of this life alive, conversation about our leaving this existence is among the most uncomfortable conversations we can have. When someone shares news about a terminal diagnosis or their readiness to 'go home', we often try to postpone the conversation. "Oh, don't say that," is all most of us can come up with. Life is indeed fragile, and perhaps we get uncomfortable with the topic because it reveals the precious nature of the present moment, laying bare the beauty and horror of it all. The pain we will all face invades our hearts and minds like a pervasive perfume... it's inescapable. But what if we stopped denying the limited nature of our lives and breathed in deeply the fragrance of vulnerability... of grace and hope? Jesus invites us to not only talk about such things, but to include him in the conversation. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHgbSd-ZfCE

When asked how we are, it seems a point of pride to be able to answer that we are sooo busy. Many of us were raised thinking that to be idle, was to be lazy and wasteful. Productivity and efficiency are the name of the game! It's almost shameful to be unproductive. But maybe moving slowly, resting, and nurturing the tired parts of ourselves is more helpful than we think. The gardener knows that letting a plot lay fallow, and giving manure time to work, and waiting patiently for the seeds to sprout are all their own kind of productivity. Maybe we can discover that it's productive enough to do the same for our own souls. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs0pL61h89o

Don't you just hate it when people don't behave as you would like, outcomes don't fit your agenda, and the world at large seems to disregard your preferences?! It's like trying to herd cats - none of them seem care at all about what you want, and they certainly aren't going to do what you direct them to do! What if we could let go of needing all things and all people to be “just so” and instead learn to be at peace with the unfolding of that which is not ours to control? Even Jesus was frustrated with others - it's a very human response to life. We all like to have control in our lives, but so much is out of our control. Maybe instead of controlling life around us, we can learn to enjoy improvising alongside God, and be at peace. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePZ0PVa-6b8

We find ourselves hungry for many things that we believe will bring us satisfaction. We are quick to jump at any chance for glory, fame, fortune, and instant gratification. What are the temptations that catch your ear, singing out promises that your life should be more special than it is? What if ordinary life is already holy – as is? Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCJw9l_Qeb8