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Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country (Luke 1:34). You are wonderfully and uniquely made in God's image. You are deeply known and deeply loved by God. Jesus calls you his friend, and his Spirit has given you distinctive-to-you gifts so that you can be a difference-maker in the world God loves. While none of us has the particular assignments given to M...
Keep ReadingMary stayed with Elizabeth (Luke 1:56a). Here at the Liu household we are treating ourselves to episodes of Call the Midwife on Netflix. This series follows the community of midwives and nuns of Nonnatus House in the Poplar district in London's impoverished East End during the 1950s and '60s. The small community of midwives and the larger community of Poplar show up befo...
Keep ReadingAt that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:39-41 You know that feeling: the one where you walk into a room and know you're sticking out like a sore thumb. May...
Keep Reading"Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months." (Luke 1:56) Think of a small group you're most comfortable with - family, church, neighborhood, colleagues. What makes them so? Acceptance, similar interests, common goals? Stay with them long enough, grow with them long enough, they will act like a compass to orient you, a safe harbor to welcome you back when you have to v...
Keep ReadingLuke 1:34-56, Mary visits Elizabeth If we obey God, we'll find ourselves in some strange circumstances, in some unusual kinds of communities. And making unexpected friends necessary friends. This week's passage in our Community, Purpose, Love series looks at a micro-community: just two women, a very young and pregnant Mary, and a very old and also pregnant Elizabeth. W...
Keep ReadingWhen Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby,he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."From that time on, this disciple took her into his home(John 19:25-27). COVID has messed with so many aspects of our lives. Now, as we are just beginning to slowly and carefully emerge from the pandemic's sha...
Keep Reading"We [have] become the children of God [we] are all one in Jesus Christ." (John 1:12, Gal. 3:28) What are the hallmarks of your family? An intimate, laughing tangle of cousins, parents, and grandparents protecting, supporting, and comforting each other, worshipping together, and offering hospitality to others? A distant father, quarrelsome siblings, an atmosphere of critic...
Keep ReadingNear the cross of Jesus stood his motherWhen Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home (John 19:25a-27). You know, mothers don't necessarily like Mother's Day. (Apologies here to you mo...
Keep ReadingNear the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.John 19:25-27 We met Esther the first time...
Keep ReadingWhen Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby,he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."From that time on, this disciple took her into his home(John 19:25-27). Slowly the pandemic appears to be loosening its grip. Slowly life is "returning" to "normal." We still have a way to go before COVID is ...
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