Author | Lightnews

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 14h

To care for the Earth is not political. It is theological. It is an act of love. To rebuild from storms like Melissa is holy work. To reduce harm is sacred duty. To honor the Earth as kin is to remember who we truly are.
- Rev. Cameron Trimble

#CreationCare
#Love
#TheologyInAction

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John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 21h

Advent and Christmas reveal that God’s presence, life and love are always within us, empowering us to live as Advent people—people of hope, peace, joy, and love in this beautiful world that is being disfigured by despair, grief, and hatred.

See 'Living as Advent People': payhip.com/b/a9NKR

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 1d

The picture of reality coming to us from contemporary science is so attractive to theology that we would be fools not to use it.
—Sallie McFague

How does science contribute to your thinking and speaking about reality? About God?

#Science
#Reality
#EvolutionarySpirituality

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 1d

From 'A Cosmic Vision of Sainthood': https://bit.ly/43AfFfX

#AllSaints
#Interconnectedness
#WebOfLife

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 2d

From 'Lectionary Reflection for Proper 26C on Luke 19:1-10': tinyurl.com/42nnrya3

#Zacchaeus
#Contradictions
#Proper26C

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 2d

Ultimately, the underlying truth that opens us to forgiveness is that we are all part of the pain and brokenness of our world, even as we can all be part of the healing and restoration of it
From Lectionary Resources by Sacredise.
sacredise.com/proper...

#Forgiveness
#Healing
#Proper26C

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 3d

In what ways might the traditional Christian view of salvation be considered "small"? What might "big" salvation look like for you? And how does our view of salvation relate to All Saints Day?
Here are my thoughts if you're interested: https://bit.ly/43AfFfX

#AllSaints
#Salvation

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 4d

From Daily Worship by Sacredise.com

#Humility
#Repentance

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 5d

The quality of our lives does not have to be defined by what is happening around us. We may not be able to change THE world, but we certainly can change OUR world.
From 'Living as Advent People': payhip.com/b/a9NKR

#Advent
#Christmas
#ChangeYourWorld

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 6d

From 'A Cosmic Vision of Sainthood: A Reflection on Ephesians 1:11-23 for All Saints': https://bit.ly/43AfFfX

#AllSaints
#CosmicSalvation

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John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 6d

We have the world we have because we live the way we live. But all it takes to begin to create a different world is to learn another way.
Let's pray...

#Prayer
#Gospel
#Proper25C

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 7d

From 'Lectionary Reflection for Proper 25C on Luke 18:9-14': https://bit.ly/4qi5pmo

#PhariseeAndTaxCollector
#Conversation
#Proper25C

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 7d

Advent and Christmas are a call to enter mindfully into a journey of remembering who we really are, what kind of world we want, and how Christ can teach and empower us to become what we long for.
This is what 'Living as Advent People' is all about: payhip.com/b/a9NKR

#Advent
#Christmas

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 8d

If we idolise wealth, then we create poverty;
If we idolise success, then we create the inadequate;
If we idolise power, then we create powerlessness.
- Thomas Cullinan.
(Quoted in '(Un)Successful Christianity': https://bit.ly/42JMNBK

#Humility
#Simplicity
#Faithfulness

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 8d

At a time like this, it may seem meaningless to observe Advent and Christmas. But what if they are just what we need to navigate the chaos effectively?
To experience the sustaining grace of these seasons, check out 'Living as Advent People': payhip.com/b/a9NKR

#Advent
#Christmas

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 9d

What makes a "successful" church in your view? What makes a "successful" Christian? How are these things measured in your world? How do you feel they should be measured? Should they be measured at all?
Find my thoughts in '(Un)Successful Christianity': https://bit.ly/4qi5pmo

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 9d

From 'Lectionary Reflection for Proper 25C on Luke 18:9-14': https://bit.ly/4qi5pmo

#UsAndThem
#Humility
#Proper25C

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 9d

From Lectionary Resources by Sacredise.
sacredise.com/proper...

#Arrogance
#Humility
#Proper25C

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 11d

From '(Un)Successful Christianity': https://bit.ly/42JMNBK

#Humility
#GoodNewsForLosers
#Proper25C

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John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 12d

From ‘Activism for Ordinary People’: https://bit.ly/4o5fqC8

#Activism
#Advent
#Christmas

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John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 13d

From '(Un)Successful Christianity: A Reflection on 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16-18 for Proper 25C': https://bit.ly/42JMNBK

#Success
#Faithfulness
#Humanity

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 13d

From 'Becoming "Imaginal Cell" People': https://bit.ly/3IZ0XZ3

#Transformation
#BeTheChange
#Spirituality

John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 13d

We need to be aware and compassionate in the face of the suffering around us. But sometimes the pain of this chaotic world can overwhelm us. And that's when we need to look up and see the goodness, truth and beauty that still thrives even in the pain.
Let's pray...

sacredise.com/proper...

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John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 14d

Maybe every age of despair needs people who quietly build something sane, gentle, and healing while the world burns.
- Nadia Bolz-Weber

What can you quietly build today?

#Gentleness
#Creativity
#DoSomething

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John van de Laar @sacredise.bsky.social · 14d

From 'Don't Believe The Algorithms!': https://bit.ly/3W4Bv7t

#Liturgy
#Advent
#Mindfulness