“And the walls came a tumblin’ down.” Actually, by the time the Gospel of Mark was written they probably already had. But, imagine sitting outside the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, and having Jesus tell you that it would all be coming down. Scary? Upsetting? Maddening? Perhaps all of the above.  Bad stuff happens…

Mark’s telling of the story we have come to know as “The Widow’s Mite” is a story about faithful generosity… or is it? Maybe it’s really about Jesus pointing out economic injustices. Giving one’s “spare change” means different things to the wealthy and the poor. And, in this case, the widow may have been the…

Though it may have seemed like it, not everyone was trying to trick or test Jesus. Some actually just wanted to engage in honest dialogue with them.  That is the case with the Scribe in today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark. As it turns out, Jesus doesn’t mind the questions… as long as we’re…

We all have, or have had, people who have touched our lives and influenced us in positive ways. Because of them, something in us has changed … our own sense of worth, our worldview, the way we engage with others, the way we see and understand God. These are our “saints.” These are the ones…

The journey from Galilee to Jerusalem is long. The disciples have heard a lot, seen a lot, and done a lot … including shushing and turning away marginalized persons who have come seeking Jesus. As usual, however, Jesus invites them to come. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they point out the importance…

How many times did Jesus have to tell them, “It’s not about status!”? Just because society tells you that status matters, doesn’t make it so. But the disciples didn’t get it, and sometimes we too forget. If you want to be first, you need to be last.  Makes perfect sense…right? Grab a cup of coffee…

Money, money, money, money … Money. The O’Jays said, “some people gotta have it.” (“For the Love of Money,” Philadelphia) But Jesus told the rich young ruler to go and give it all away, then, come follow him. We all know how that ended. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, for a look at…

“I’ve Got the Power” is not just the name of a song by Snap played in clubs and on radio stations … it has been a foundational principle for groups of people … especially men … since the days of Moses. It continued into the days of Jesus, and it continues today. So, what does…

“We are Companions on the Journey” … a hymn sung many times in Community of Christ gatherings, and words we need to keep in mind as we navigate our personal spiritual journeys of life and faith. Like the disciples, we sometimes forget what and who is the focus of our journey.  In those moments, our…

There is no such thing as a dumb question. At least that’s what some people say. There are, however, questions that, when asked, may make one seem less smart. What’s worse is when someone thinks they know the answer so doesn’t see a need to ask any questions.  Join hosts, Karin and Blake, for a…