Messages for Today's Christian Unitarian
ARE YOU EVOLVING?
November 23, 2025
Baruch 1:19, From the time when the LORD brought our ancestors out of the land of Egypt until today, we have been disobedient to the LORD our God, and we have been negligent in not listening to His voice.
This Scripture verse, though seldom used, holds a timeless truth. It addresses the Jews but speaks to all of us: we've been disobedient and negligent in listening to God. This pattern has persisted through centuries—God speaks, but most ignore Him, leading to struggles. Today, we worship ourselves, wealth, and power, replacing God with worldly possessions and recognition. We cling to remnants of ancient beliefs, warped by greed. Instead of genuinely listening for God's voice, we only hear what we want—taking the easy way, following misguided leaders, and straying from the "Path of Righteousness.' Perhaps this describes you.
Recent archaeological discoveries suggest our species has been around for nearly a million years. While this number can vary, it’s clear we have a long history. Throughout these centuries, humans have evolved—after all, that’s how we were created. However, in today’s world, we have not acknowledged that our spirituality, faiths, and religions also need to evolve. This could be the most crucial aspect of our growth, yet it remains the least advanced.
Our ancestors engaged in spiritual practices that evolved from earlier religious interactions of their ancestors. Although we often link figures such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon, their practices and teachings varied over time. This 'spiritual evolution' is part of God’s plan, with faith developing as our understanding and abilities grow—a process of continual growth for all creation. So, why haven’t we evolved as expected, and when will we?
When I reflected on this truth, I realized it is universal across all religions. As a species, we all evolve spiritually and religiously from generation to generation. However, for the past 2,000 years or so, we have refused to evolve spiritually or religiously, remaining in a state of religious limbo and becoming stagnant in our ability to connect with the aspects of our being that seek the divine. Our spiritual teachers have failed to see that they and their obsession with the ancient past are holding us back. They are standing in God’s way, blocking God’s plan for humankind by guiding our devotion and need for communion with the divine toward what people long ago did for themselves, instead of what we are supposed to do now.
Today we know that the Earth isn’t a flat disk covered by a blue bowl or the center of the universe. However, the faiths we follow believed that, and little else has changed with the dogma they declare. Abraham, Moses, all the Prophets, Jesus, and many others called the people of their time to wake up to what God would reveal to them. Why are we still repeating what they said instead of listening to what God is saying in the here and now? If God hadn't intended for us to evolve in every way, we would still be living in huts, walking wherever we need to go, living off the land instead of where we are now, so why should our faith be any different? That’s the problem with humankind today: we are spiritually living in a past that is long gone and no longer relevant to our current situation. I believe this is why so many are turning away from religion, leaving their churches and places of worship, and following “false prophets.” Perhaps that is you.
God remains eternal and unchanging, but our understanding and relationship with Him must be relevant to today. It should fit into our lives now and guide us through each decision and moment. What the ancients did or did not do holds little relevance to our current calling. Remembering the past serves as a foundation for today - learning from mistakes so we do not repeat them. However, dwelling too much on the past can cause us to get stuck, repeating the same cycles and errors. Instead, we should pass on lessons from history - celebrating their achievements, learning from their experiences, and avoiding their mistakes. We are to seek God’s guidance, as they did, and apply those lessons to our lives - growing, evolving, and living with God. While God's nature stays constant, our understanding must grow so we can grasp what He reveals today. Therefore, we must seek God’s guidance for the present. Do you?
At this moment, we come before God who has not bound us with creeds, confused us with scriptures, nor fenced us in with pledges, but has called us into unity, faith, and love. May we learn to cherish and embrace His grace so that we may walk together in respect, celebrate our differences with joy, and unite not in forced conformity but in service to God’s mission of love for all others within this place and time God has given us. Not that we would look back and remain there, but that we would grow into what God desires of us today, and be our foundation of hope for our future. We have stood still long enough; it is time to take that first step forward, into the “arms of God.”
“The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings.” Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) Theologian, Philosopher
Indeed, the first step is to accept all others as members of God's family, just as God accepts you. Then we are to look at the world we live in and fill it with that love. Are you stuck in the past, or are you evolving?
Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”
Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)
Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv
WHICH WAY WILL YOU GO
November 16. 2025
Matthew 22:16, So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality."
There are elements in this verse that need to be examined before understanding can develop. The statement at the end does not come from followers of Jesus, but from those who seek to trick him into saying something against the Romans. However, Jesus sees their intentions and turns the situation around. He says, "Give to God what is God's and let Rome have its money." As we analyze this statement, we also see that these Pharisees and Herodians recognized Jesus was communicating a message of truth. They understood and acknowledged that he was teaching the people the "Way of God," which had been lost for generations. They knew he spoke the truth and lived as an example of godliness for others to follow. Unlike the Jewish leaders who judged, condemned, and persecuted anyone who opposed their greed and desire for wealth and power, they saw Jesus as the people saw him—showing them the "Way of God." And they grew increasingly fearful of what Jesus was doing to the game they were playing and the path they were leading the people down.
The Hebrew Bible and history tell the stories of many who rose to power in Galilee and Judea, showing how they became corrupt. Repeatedly, we are told they "turned from godliness and did not walk in the way of the LORD." Jesus, like those before him, tried to bring the people back to where God intended for them to be. Time and again, they refused to listen; they rejected the truth and chased after the hopes of wealth and power, led by those who only cared about themselves and what they could take from others, especially those who were less fortunate. And history reveals where that path led them.
Just as those Jews who surrounded Jesus then recognized that he was teaching the truth and understood he could lead them to the way of godliness, Jesus also knew what was in their hearts. He told them in the Gospel of John, "But I know that you do not have the love of God in you." And he was right. What would he say about you today? He saw how they mistreated everyone in the kingdom who was different from themselves. He heard the slurs, taunts, and derogatory terms used to call them names and belittle them. He knew how the hungry, sick, and needy were pushed aside, ignored, and insulted just because they couldn't defend themselves. He saw the "strangers among them" threatened and attacked, and he understood that it was ungodly in every way. If it were ungodly, then it is just as wrong today. What way will you go?
When I studied the anthropology of first-century Israel, I saw a microcosm remarkably similar to America today. In fact, the similarities are only obscured when we look only at the surface and focus on how our world differs physically. That isn't what God is concerned with. That is minor compared to how you live your life with others, and the witness you present to the world and God. That is "God's Way," and it can't be found in your wallet, bank account, stock portfolio, holdings, or how big you think your head might be. That is what Jesus saw that day when he looked into the faces of those who had come to ridicule him, and they failed because he stayed with God and faced them down with godliness. We need that same determination and devotion today. What way will you go?
Maybe if the religious leaders in our lives stopped stressing so much about tithes and offerings and instead focused more on using their resources to show people “God’s Way” rather than the church's way, we could see a real change. Perhaps we need some “Jesus Followers” leading others instead of “Jesus believers” who stopped following because they bought into the lie that Jesus did it all for them. Jesus gave us an example and was willing to die to prove that each generation should examine the path they walk and find their way to walking in godliness— a manner pleasing and acceptable to God. That’s salvation, that’s righteousness, that’s letting God rule and reign in your life, and it is then, when His Kingdom is where you dwell. What path will you choose?
We are all on the path of “life’s journey.” No two paths will be exactly the same, but they all lead to the same destination. We will find ourselves once again in the presence of God, the one who created us and sustains us along our way. At that time, you will see that everything you did and did not do—what God would have expected from you—will be known by Him. You can’t hide it; there will be no room for excuses, and the truth will be what it is.
Just as Jesus did in his day, I do today. I come to help you find the right way to live, to guide you to “God’s Way.” Like Jesus, all I can do is point you in the right direction; I can’t make you go, stop you, or do it for you. You have to walk that journey hand in hand, just you and God. You really don’t need anything else. For centuries, we have been walking in circles, repeating the same mistakes, living in the same ungodliness as our ancestors, and wondering why humanity isn’t any better today than it was then. It’s simple—we lost our way, chose the wrong path, and in the end, we find that we too will give to Caesar what is his, and God will ask you, “Where is my part?”
If you truly “love the LORD your God,” you will walk life’s path with Him. You will seek His direction and guidance. You will live to show the world what godliness means and how to live it. And God will be pleased, and you will be too, but most of all, the world will be a little closer to being what God intended for it to be. And perhaps someday, maybe soon, we can all live in peace, unity, and compassion, and Godliness will lead us home.
Jesus taught the “truth,” and even those who opposed him acknowledged this. He was sincere in his teachings because he knew God had called him to do so, and even his enemies admitted it. They tell us, if we believe the Gospels, that Jesus didn’t judge, condemn, or hate anyone for any reason; he accepted everyone as God created them. God made them, chose them, and loves them unconditionally; you must do the same, or you are not following the “Way of God.” Living in sin means choosing your own way—the way of the world, the path of perdition, and an eternity of shame and separation. That’s hell, and you have chosen it. However, Jesus and others like him have tried to teach humanity that we are on a journey, walking a path of life, and it’s up to us to choose which route we take. We can walk hand in hand with God and live in godliness, or we can follow the world, leaving this life full of sins to add to all the others. What “Way of Life” are you living? As God looks at you, what path does He see you walking? It’s your choice - “Which way will you go?”
Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”
Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)
Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv
HOW DO YOU SEE THE WORLD
November 9, 2025
James 3:13-16, 13 Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant and lie about the truth. 15 This is not wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.
In ancient times, there was little difference between "envy" and "lust," unlike today, where the term "lust" is most often associated with something sexual; this concept did not evolve until centuries after Jesus. In his time, there was little to no distinction between envy and lust. When Bible interpretations refer to "lust" as being something sexual, they often overlook the reality of the world at that time. It was no different than "lust after your neighbor's wife," or "lust after wealth or power over others." The act itself was condemned, along with its impact on your life. A "sin was a sin," meaning anything that stood against Godliness.
Again, in the time and place where Jesus lived, selfish ambition was considered a "sin." And it would not have been limited to any "one sin" over "all sins." It states that being selfishly ambitious is evil and destructive; it was considered wicked and ungodly because it disrupts God's intentions for us, which are rooted in humility, peace, and love. When you seek personal gain without caring for others, you are living in sin. The teachings of Jesus tell us to have humility, value others above ourselves, and act with selfless concern for others. This is living in godliness. How are you living?
When we give in to envy, lust, and selfish ambitions, we fall into a never-ending cycle of sin that dominates our lives. We become less wise and knowledgeable, allowing our sins to rule over us. When we replace God's love and love for all mankind with envy of others' possessions and a lust for wealth and power, we abandon true godliness and substitute selfish ambitions. We ignore the sin in our lives and turn a deaf ear to that “still small voice” that tries to guide us back. Where is your life heading?
Proverbs 24:1, Do not envy the wicked, nor desire to be with them.
In today’s world, envy of others’ wealth and power tears us apart. The desire for what we want pushes us further from the godliness we should live. This proverb reflects our current situation and the times we are in. Too many seek to be like those who are wicked in God's eyes, even though we have been warned not to do so. We cannot stop wanting more, and that is lust. We see what others have and let envy fill our lives, overshadowing our other concerns. We turn away from the “Path of Righteousness” and choose to chase our desires, ignoring how our envy and lust affect others, even our own families. We abandon what is right and compassionate to satisfy ourselves, and still wonder why things aren’t perfect. They aren’t what they should be because we aren’t who we should be. The change begins with you; no one can do it for you, and it won’t happen until you start. Isn’t it time you begin?
Philippians 2:3-4, 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.
How do you regard others? Do you see them as obstacles to your selfish ambitions or with conceit in your heart? Do you judge them because they aren’t “just like you,” and believe yourself to be better in some way? Are you more focused on yourself and satisfying your envy and lust than on the well-being of others? If you look down on even one other “Child of God,” you look down on them all. We see the world either through the eyes of envy and lust or through the “eyes of God,” by the “Love of God.” How do you see the world?
Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”
Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)
Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv
ARE YOU HIDING FROM GOD
November 2, 2025
Hebrews 13:5, Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Through his words and his witness, Jesus walked hand in hand with God, serving as a living example of what you are to do. But today, we face two questions regarding Jesus. Do you “believe Jesus”? Or, do you “believe in Jesus”? You aren’t truly believing in Jesus; such a thing doesn’t exist. What you are actually doing is “believing in the teachings of the church.” You're trusting in dogmatic theologies created hundreds of years after Jesus and passed down to us today. These teachings originated from pagan minds and were shaped and imposed on society by the power of Rome. The truth of this evolution is disgraceful to everything Jesus taught and the example he set. Yet, even today, after all these centuries, we still follow the misguided teachings of a misguided church, leading us down a path of destruction that surrounds us now. We’re in a unique time; we have reached our “point of fate.” Today, we have the power to destroy all life on this planet many times over in an instant, and we lack the moral compass needed to prevent it because we walk alone, without holding God’s hand. Jesus did nothing but teach and demonstrate what you should be doing. He taught us about morality, respect, and acceptance for all others, as well as the importance of living in peace. When you do as he taught and demonstrated, it is then that you truly “believe Jesus.” Not until.
Our morality, mutual respect, and love for others are almost nonexistent. The peace on earth spoken of in various scriptures is nothing but a dream. Few truly hope for that day, and even fewer are willing to work to make it happen. Achieving peace would mean rejecting the worship of wealth and power, and in today’s world, that’s unlikely. Religious institutions have all failed. Family leaders, community leaders, social leaders, and political leaders have all fallen short. Yes, there is monetary success and power over others, but at what cost? What have you gained if you have all the riches in the world and own the earth, if you've lost your soul, dignity, and eternity? In the end, you will leave this world just as you entered it, naked, scared, cold, shivering, crying out to something you don’t understand. Not knowing what the next second will bring. Isn’t it time to get serious about your life? Isn’t it time to take stock of your life and make the adjustments, changes, and hard decisions needed to return to the “Path of Righteousness”? Only you can do this; no one has ever done it for you, and no one ever will. So, what will you do?
The path to a proper relationship with God is straightforward once we set aside our egos, greed, selfishness, and lust for wealth and power. With that in mind, many will stop reading and go back to living for themselves. Humans were created from the beginning to unite as one people, but we have fallen short. This is why we struggle, why we haven’t cured many diseases that devastate lives, why we haven't advanced more in our societies, and why issues like poverty, ignorance, poor health, division, and hatred persist. It’s also why wars continue and why progress in space exploration and other technologies remains slow. We will never resolve these problems until we first change our attitudes toward one another, until we accept our differences and come together as one species, all made in the “Image of God,” all deserving compassion, understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. Only then can we become everything God intended us to be, for that is what God desires for us. It all starts with you. It’s a decision you make, even if you don’t realize you're making it; your choice will be obvious. So, what will you do?
Our Scripture reading today reminds us that God will never leave or forsake us. It states that God is always with us. It may be hard to imagine, but even in today’s world, amid the sins in our lives and our rejection of His teachings and His will, God remains with us and always will be. This raises a question: “Where are you?” You are either with God or rejecting Him. Are you living a Godly life, or are you lost in your own lusts? God is always present. God is the Spirit within you that compels you to do right even when you ignore Him, a Power that overwhelms you when you do right and calls you out when you stray. God is the Energy that drives us toward righteousness, even when we go astray, and God is the Force within you that gives you life and existence. There is nothing; you are nothing without God.
God stands before you every moment, with His hand reaching out, urging you to “turn from your wicked, selfish, sinful ways, and come to the salvation that is only found in God.” We embrace "God's Salvation" when we accept the reality that "God Is," when we realize our place within "God's Design for Humankind," and accept that "God created each of us to join with all others to fulfill God's plan for us all." We will not be where we are meant to be until we take God's hand, come together as God's people, and walk through the days of our lives as one. What will you do? Will you respond, take His hand, and return to the path of righteousness, or hide from God and continue as you are?
“We tend to look for God in places we choose, and where others tell us to look, instead of where He is revealed.”
Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”
Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)
Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv
WILL YOU PASS THE TEST
October 26, 2025
Matthew 25:40 & 45, And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
These are two verses from one of the most important passages of Scripture in the New Testament. Read Matthew 25:34-45 to get the whole message. The teaching Jesus intended in this message is both timeless and relevant today. Look around at where we stand as a nation and as a people, and compare us to what Jesus says we should be. And don’t forget to look at yourself. Once again, this week, the leaders of our country, who represent all of us, have decided they know better than God. They have chosen to ignore the teachings of these verses and those of other major religions to serve the greed of a few. Do we follow the principles that God has established from the beginning, or do we succumb to the lust for wealth and power that are tearing us apart and destroying us all?
If ever a people needed to hear and take heart, these verses of Scripture it is for this day we live in. This passage of Scripture should be heard and lived by everyone who claims to be a child of God. It should be preached from every pulpit and taught to our youth. Without these verses guiding your life and the clear testimony you are living, you are lost and without hope. We are never what God intends for us to be unless we accept others as our equals and do all we can to help those in need, no matter what that need is. We have failed; otherwise, there would be no hungry, thirsty, strangers, sick, imprisoned, or those in need in any way. God has provided enough for all, entrusting some with abundance and others with needs. This is not retribution or punishment for what the needy have done or failed to do. Instead, it is a test for those who have to see what they will do with the blessings God has given them. Will you pass the test?
We are told that the first “Followers of Jesus” held all things in common. That means they recognized their blessings and took responsibility to share them with others. Historical accounts of those “Followers” show that this was part of their faith for generations after the first century. The true “Christians” were those who lived out their faith, and the world at that time was aware of it. It was common knowledge that if you were in need, you would find the one who “Follows Jesus,” those known as “Christians.” History also shows how those “Christians” shifted away from that way of life and instead adopted a different approach to faith. That is not what Jesus taught. Which path are you following?
Look at the world we are living in, especially in this country. We have more than any previous generation, yet those less fortunate are also more numerous. A nation, civilization, is created to provide a vehicle by which everyone can come together to contribute to the common good. A people who only look within themselves, extol the desires of the few, the rich and powerful, and yet fail to see the needs of the many, those less fortunate, are destined to fall.
As our Scripture reading for today tells us. We are called to have genuine concern for all others, and when they are in need, in any way, we are to come together as “God’s People” and do all we can to meet those needs. If we did, there would be no poverty, our sick could be cured, the homeless would have shelter, all would be educated for a better society, and God’s will would be done. Until we do, we will struggle, suffering will increase, and we will truly perish in our sins. Sin is when we fail to live in Godliness, and that begins with each individual and extends to all humanity. How are you doing with that?
It doesn't matter who you praise as your God or whom you choose to worship and follow; what truly matters is how you treat “the least of these,” which is the true test of all religions. How does yours measure up? Will you see all others as God’s children, as members of your family, and treat them as God has treated you? Will you pass the test?
Luke 21:1-4, 1He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; 2 he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, 4 for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
Every day, those less fortunate put in all they have to survive, while those with abundance waste, squander, and plot in their blind lust for more. They refuse to see others' needs because they are too busy wanting more of what they already have. They care for no one but themselves and seek nothing but what they can take. They turn a blind eye to others' needs and to how, in the end, those needs will affect them. They do so because they choose to do so, and the darkness of their abundance overshadows the light that should shine within their heart. We are truly a people who have lost our way, and few, if any, are trying to return to where God intends for us to be. We all face the test before God. How are you living? What is your witness? When will you get it right and correct your wrongs? Will you pass the test?
Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”
Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)
Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv
UNLESS YOU CHANGE
October 19, 2025
Daniel 2:20-22, 20 Daniel said: “Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him.
The reason early humans created “religion” was to bring order, unity, and peace to their growing populations. To them, a “Spirit” of unknown and unknowable existence was the cause of everything that existed and everything that happened. They viewed our “spirit” as the “breath of life” that entered our bodies at birth and left when we died. The word “spirit” comes from the idea that our breath is the same as the wind. The wind was seen as the “breath of something” (a god, creator, etc.), depending on the time, place, and understanding of the people. Over time, indeed, God revealed His deep and hidden things, as we became capable of understanding.
They did not know and could not do any better than they did. But if they had not been successful, none of us would be here today. We forget that truth and instead try to impose the old beliefs of long past generations from a different place and time on our present, ignoring their failures and causing our own in the process. We ignore and reject the truth that our faith must evolve just as we do, but that is how God created us. But still, we resist it. Our understanding is a choice we make as a species; our ancestors did the best they could, but we aren’t even trying.
Our spiritual leaders have failed and refuse to address their errors. We have also failed and refuse to admit our own, which blocks us from returning to the path that leads to unity and peace essential for our future. We must return to living in a right relationship with God, and in a Godly manner with all others. If we keep going as we are, there may be no future for us. Today, we’re not facing the defeat of our enemies; we’re facing the destruction of the very planet we were meant to protect. It’s a choice we get to make. What will yours be?
Hosea 4:6a, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge! Because you have rejected knowledge.
Our knowledge of faith comes from our spiritual teachers and our willingness to accept it or our determination to reject it. Today, our spiritual leaders, the churches, and similar institutions face problems they must solve or face extinction. As seen in religious writings from the past, they adapted to meet the needs of their era; that is God's plan. No religion today is the same as it was in its beginning. Why do we not see that truth? You cannot reason with a child the same as with an adult, and you can't serve today's world using methods that didn't work in the past. Our ancestors understood this, but we ignore it, and our teachers lead us on.
"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living."
Gail Sheehy (1936-2020), Author
Religious Leaders who preach and teach outdated and irrelevant dogma to fill pews and increase offerings are part of the problem. The failure of our spiritual leaders at every level to teach followers how to live in peace, unity, and compassion for all others is what causes these problems. A theology that claims “we are right and all others are wrong” is the problem. A church that teaches that others are wrong simply because they are not “just like you” is a huge problem. Any faith that isn’t focused on creating followers who love the LORD our God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and demonstrate that love by caring for all others as God does, is misguided and has a problem. History shows that even the “cave dwellers” did better, but we continue to feed our greed for wealth and power, blaming others for our failures. Look in the mirror, recognize the problem, and work to fix it; that’s the true solution, but it must start with you.
Matthew 18:3-4, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Being childlike as Jesus described means continually searching, changing, and seeking truths and knowledge beyond your current limits. This is God's plan for humankind. We stopped living it long ago; it's time to wake up and, like God's children, take His hand to become what we are meant to be in the place and time He has given us. The warning is "unless you change," I hope and pray you will.
Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”
Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)
Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv
THE STORMS OF OUR LIVES
Mark 4:39-41, 39 And waking up, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Be silent! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
We should all be familiar with this story, or is it a story? Most have been told this is a great miracle of Jesus, proof that he is God incarnate. But if we told this story to Jesus, his Apostles, or any of the disciples who followed him in his lifetime, they wouldn’t see it that way. To them, as it should be to us, this is a continuation of Jesus' parable teaching from the previous verses. So, if this is a parable and can only be understood as such, what does it mean?
As I have mentioned before, I don't need supernatural events to distract me from the message Jesus taught, and I refuse to allow that distraction. It's his message, his teachings, and the example he lived that we are to follow, and we can't understand them if we are distracted by the idea that somehow, for some unknown reason, God miraculously became a human and lived among us, doing deeds that no human could do to prove a point. God doesn't work that way, and doesn't need when we open our minds and hearts to the messages He has sent us. God is ever-present in our lives, the world, all creation, and within each of us; He doesn’t need miracles to prove it.
In the midst of life's storms, there is always hope if we have faith that God is with us. In chaos, turmoil, and danger that define life itself, God remains present. Just as God was with Jesus and the others in that boat, tossed and threatened by the torrent around them, God is also with us as we face our own storms. When Jesus reminded them of God's presence, the churning seas, driving winds, and fear of destruction were calmed, and the same can happen for us if we believe. Like Jesus, we are called to find our hope and faith in the truth that God is with us, even in our darkest hours. Even when it seems impossible and hope is lost, God is always beside us. In God's ever-present arms, there is comfort, safety, and eternal love for all who accept it. Do you?
Our lives today resemble those people in that boat in this parable. We are caught in a storm like no other, especially in this country. I can't speak for the world, but I can address those around me. Do what Jesus did: wake up, look around, and see the storm filling our lives with chaos, danger, and eventual destruction. Notice the waves of division and winds of hate as they batter your very existence, taking away your freedoms, honor, faith, and way of life, everything that makes you who God created you to be. Jesus woke up, saw the danger, and did the only thing he could do: he prayed to God, and God heard his prayer. But he had to act first; he had to get up and do something, his part, to turn God's will into reality. God won't calm the storms of your life if you don't wake up, recognize the danger, stop believing the lies, and cry out to God, "Please, show me the way." Then live in that way, practice godliness, and let the world see that love calmed the storm—the love of God for us, and the love of all we are meant to have, just like Jesus. Will you do the same?
“But little do we realize that behind the scenes God is using all the disappointments, frustrations, and storms of our lives to shape us and mold our character, if only we will let Him.” Ashley Hetherington, Author
Storms are part of our lives, but they never last; they always end, and tomorrow is another day. The question is, "What will you learn from this storm?" Every storm that enters our lives holds a lesson for us if we choose to learn it. This is what history shows us: it's not about the people and dates; it's about the lessons they learned and passed down. Are you learning lessons or just crying to the wind? Is your faith where it should be, and is your resolve rooted in a God of mercy and love, or do you rely on man's weak ways and his lust for wealth and power? It's not what you have that matters; it's what keeps you in His arms and helps you through life's storms, the foundation of your faith and life, the roots that keep you grounded in God's love. What holds you?
“A storm tests the strength of roots, not the beauty of leaves.”
Aloo Denish Obiero, Kenyan Author and Poet
And when the storm ends, I search for a rainbow, whether in the sky or within my heart. There, I see God's glory and the boundless love He holds for us, and I accept that I am meant to be the same. I look around and ask myself, "Why are we in this mess?" Then the rainbow becomes brighter, and I realize we are still chasing that pot of gold that isn't really there, instead of discovering the treasures God has given us here and now. Do you see a rainbow?
Your life is the 'boat,' and the "storm" represents your challenges. The way through is found when your life is in God's hands. The meaning of the parable is, "God is with you always; if only you were with Him, you would realize that." More importantly, you would live accordingly, loving all others as God loves you, seeking peace and unity among those around you, calming life's storms with God's love. Are you doing that?
Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”
Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)
Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv
WHOSE HAND DO YOU HOLD
Isaiah 41:10, Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Being a Christian and believing in Jesus means striving to imitate Jesus. It involves understanding his teachings and living by them in everything we say and do, just as he did. Being “Christian” isn’t about joining a specific “church” or claiming a particular creed; it’s a “way of life” that reflects “the image of God” and serves as a witness to the world. Just like Jesus. Are you?
Today's "Christianity" doesn't teach us to live by Jesus' teachings and example. It claims that as long as we confess that "Jesus was God, born of a literal virgin, died on the cross to atone for our sins, rose after three days, and ascended into the sky to sit at God's right hand forever," then we are followers of Jesus. Jesus never taught or implied such doctrines, yet the "church" insists that this is the faith that follows him. Jesus would be shocked at what has been done to his simple message and the life he demonstrated for us.
The focus of Christian teaching has always been on his crucifixion. That is what we are told to believe; the premise of the “cross” as it is taught in Christendom is actually an extension of pagan teachings that have nothing to do with what Jesus was about. He could have abdicated his position and avoided the cross; he could have turned his back on all God had done for him and put in his heart, but he did not. He chose to be crucified to demonstrate the commitment and determination we all must have to live godly lives and not bow to the earthly ways of the elite, rich, and powerful. He could have saved himself when faced with this choice, but he chose to be an example for you, that you too would make the right choice, and embrace the love of God, make it your way of life, and be willing to give it all for the godliness that is yours.
"May God lead us kindly through these times, but above all, may God lead us to Himself." Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) Theologian
A true follower of Jesus doesn't need to quote the Bible; even an atheist can do that. A genuine follower of Jesus lives out his message and shows it through their words and actions, just as Jesus did. How you treat others is the key principle of all Jesus taught. We should help widows, orphans, the poor, the sick, foreigners, the less fortunate, and anyone different from us or in need, if it's within our power. Otherwise, we are not truly followers of Jesus.
I have been a seeker all my life, but I stopped asking the books and the stars and started listening to the teachings of my soul. Rumi (1207-1273) Poet
When we examine the life Jesus lived and observe his example of "godly living," that's when we hear the "Gospel." When his message rises above miracles and myths, we recognize the truth; indeed, it sets us free. Free to leave everything else behind and live a godly life that is pleasing and acceptable to God, serving as a powerful example that makes the world desire what we have, just like Jesus. We don't need supernatural miracles that violate the laws God established. We neither need nor want a human sacrifice to atone for our sins, as we accept them as our own and take responsibility to atone for them ourselves. We don’t require a “man-god called Christ” when we embrace the idea that God is within us all and recognize Him through His image, which we see in ourselves and others. When we learn to see with our “eyes of love,” we discover God’s kingdom, just as Jesus did.
The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. Socrates (470-399 BCE), Ancient Greek Philosopher
All we need from Jesus is to see the truth of his message, follow his teachings and example, and live as he did, embracing all humanity with unconditional love, without exception, judgment, or qualifications. The message Jesus brought to the world is simple: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and every ounce of your being, and when you do this correctly, it will be seen in how you treat all others with unconditional love, accepting them as we know God accepts us.” When you do this correctly, you become a “light unto the world” who can lead others to the truths you have found. You don’t need a cathedral, synagogue, mosque, temple, cross, or an empty tomb. All you need is to know God as Jesus knew God, and to walk life's journey holding to God’s hand, as Jesus did. Living a life of unconditional love for all of God’s children and His creations, just like Jesus. Whose hand do you hold?
Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”
Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)
Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv