Posts by PastorKarl (Page 6)
“Presence” – Things Change When You Show Up
The “active ingredient” of relationships is “presence!” Your presence changes another…for the better or worse…your presence alters someone else. Welcome to “The Love Paradox.” I’ve always been humbled at what happens when I enter a difficult context like someone dying, for example. People express appreciation and even relief – even though the situation appears unchanged. When I bring a non-anxious presence, there is greater calm in that place. When I bring an anxious presence there is greater angst. People change…
Relationships Aren’t Something – They’re Everything
Relationship is Divine! Eternal. Everywhere. Always. God has only revealed himself in relationship! In Genesis 1, God says, to his Triune self, “Let us make man in our image…” In John’s Gospel prologue, the Word is both God and with God. (John 1.1f) At Jesus’ baptism the Spirit descended, and the Father made his Voice of blessing heard. There are myriad of examples of our God as three in one – our singularly plural God in relationship with Himself. And…
Love Your Neighbor Instead of Yourself – Said No One, Ever
“Love your neighbor instead of yourself” said No One, Ever! This is one of those misquotes that may sound reasonable, even “Biblical” but is, upon closer inspection, neither. “Life is depleting, so try to preserve life” isn’t as clear a misquote but seems to be one of the common ways we approach life…something to be preserved. Then…Jesus enters time and space and says, actually, “Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve…
A New Year A New You.
While I’m not a “new year’s resolution kinda guy” I’m confident God’s intention and design is to constantly renew – to make all things new! (Revelation 21.5) With that Spirit, welcome to a new year and a new you! Here’s what’s new: New worship times at 9AM and 11AM! From now through Easter, we’ll celebrate worship at two (nearly) identical services! New worship series, “The Love Paradox.” This is the book I authored as a culmination of my doctoral work.…
What Child Is This? Our Christmas Cantata, “Rhapsody in Bluegrass” & Cookie Exchange
Okay…Advent has been answering the above question, “What child is this?” in developmental sequence. We began where God first knew us – in eternity! With the plan established in forever, Jesus left his High Place and became the focus of God’s Plan to enter time and space to redeem us from its fallen consequences (ourselves). Configured with the massive information found in DNA, conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit, nurtured as an embryo in the depth of Mom, and…
What Child Is This!? How & Why Our Savior Came as a Baby
Answering the question, “What child is this?” is as profound as eternity and as simple as the explanation to a 2-year old, “It’s baby Jesus in a manger.” It’s as profound as being known from eternity and as simple as knowing you are loved unconditionally, today. It’s as profound as Jesus receiving the tens of thousands of bytes and bits that make up the human genome and as clear as the blue eyes you and your mom share. This Sunday,…
Thanksgiving Eve Worship 7p: Taking the Long Way Home
Leprosy is ugly. I saw a leper in my time in India and he was hard to look at. I struggled not to turn away, but I did. Although we now know it is hard to contract, they didn’t know that in Biblical times. It’s ugliness supplied the fear and perhaps the only thing worse than the disease was the isolation that resulted. Imagine being shunned at every turn; never touched, embraced, caressed, kissed – ever again. So… what Jesus…
Transformative Gratitude: David Praised God in All Circumstances
This week’s Biblical character is David, as in King David. Chosen to be King at about age 15; soothing musician; courageous warrior; man of integrity; enthusiastic dancer; powerful king! And in his ~70 Psalms of praise he consistently gives all the glory to God. But there’s another side to David who abused his power; lusted himself into adultery; arranged for a husband’s murder; and had divisive family issues. And yet, in his ~70 Psalms he still gave glory to God…
A Prayer for The People of Thousand Oaks (and for all of us)
Heavenly Father, it has been only days since we sought the comfort of your Spirit from another mass shooting…only 12 days…less than 2 weeks ago in Pittsburgh. Father, although we may not be able to be surprised, please, please, don’t let our hearts grow callused, into hearts of stone. Please don’t let our hearts grow numb to the suffering. Please don’t let our eyes grow accustomed to the dark. Instead, give us hearts of flesh that feel the anguish of…
I See You!
Karl and Marilouise are facilitating another marriage enrichment event from 6:30-8pm on Friday, November 9th, – entitled, “I See You.” We’ll have conversations on our greatest desire and greatest fear – to be known! It’s about the risks and work it takes to get to know each other. We’ll use quotes from Pastor Timothy Keller’s book, “The Meaning of Marriage” to guide our conversation. Consider this example: “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our…
The Transformative Power of Gratitude: 5 People in the Bible Who Gave Thanks with All Their Heart
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – St Paul (1 Thessalonians 5.8) Do you think Paul knew that gratitude in everything translated into the potential for greater psychological health and well-being? “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” – Psalm 100…
A Prayer for the People of Tree of Life (and For Us)
Our Father in Heaven, Our nation’s divisions and hatreds reflect our deep need for Your Kingdom to come and for your Kingdom to come within us! We ask You send your Comforter to those grieving yet another horrific killing, this time at Tree Life synagogue. Although we cannot fathom their pain, we are confident you can visit them in the depths of sorrow which is theirs. We ask for that same Spirit of Power, Love and Self-control to permeate our…