In great Hebrew poetry, the writers of Genesis 2 remind us of one truth - we are made from the dust. We are walking, talking, thinking, eating, feeling, loving, dirt animated by the Divine. Don't miss the miracle. This is a profound statement about the value and fragility of all humankind.
Our culture lives and moves at an unsustainable pace. The phrase "fast food" is simply a symptom of a great problem. But we don't have to live this way. Now more than ever the counter-cultural act of keeping a Sabbath is imperative.
Stopping - Resting - Being - Enjoying
This is not a luxury - it's a necessity.
In light of recent COVID-19 developments, Cody shares a message on managing disruption.
Subdue! Dominion!
These are the two words given to us in Genesis 1. These two words have been used for conquest, colonization, genocide, raping, and environmental degradation. But these words were never intended to be justification for anthropocentricity. These are words for responsibility. And it's more urgent now than ever. The future of the planet is at stake. How we exercise our power on this earth determines our future.
Special guest Norman Wirzba joins us at VL. He is an author, speaker, and Professor of Theology and Ecology at Duke Divinity School.
What does it mean to "subdue the earth" and "have dominion" over it? We can understand this as a license to exploit our world or an opportunity to heal our world. How will we use our power? How will we rule as “Image bearers of God"?
As the creation poem reaches its crescendo, the priestly writers make it a point to describe the essence of humankind. How do they do this? By borrowing a culturally familiar and loaded phrase from the Ancient Near East: "image of God". What does it mean to be made in the image of God?
The Divine is the source of ALL things, the energy behind ALL things, and the light within ALL things. Because of this, we discover that at the heart of the material is the spiritual. The natural is the supernatural. There is no separation.
“Then Elohim said.” In this one statement we have the word of God as the source, spark, and energy behind the evolutionary unfolding universe. This inevitably means Creation is the word of God. God reveals God's self through creation. The question is, "Are we aware of it?"
In Genesis 1, Elohim does not create something out of nothing. There is something already there. A pre-existing chaotic matter known as a formless void and a darkness that covers the face of the deep. Out of this chaos, Elohim brings forth order. Why does this matter? When you have been exiled to Babylon and torn from your people, land, and temple, knowing Elohim brings order out of chaos is deeply personal.
The two Genesis creation poems are not answering modern questions about how the earth was created but ancient questions about who we are and why we are here. These perennial questions have been asked for thousands of years. In this sermon, we examine these questions and discover how the ancient Israelites saw God, themselves, and the earth.
Connections Pastor and communicator Thomas Horton shares a message with the VL family to kick off the New Year.
As we come to the end of Ruth, we find the story coming full circle. Ruth the widow meets a husband. The childless Naomi finds new life in a baby born to Ruth. God takes the tragic, sorrowful, painful, the unjust and uses what would destroy you to transform you. All the loss, hurt, criticism, failure, mistakes, and bad choices that happened to us can be turned into something else, something new, something we never would have been able to create on our own.
Meeting at the city gate, Boaz and the next of kin make an economic transaction. Ruth experiences rejection from her next of kin. She is seen as a bad investment. But it is in that very moment that Boaz publicly accepts, affirms, and announces Ruth as his wife. This is a story about inclusion and exclusion. This is a story about welcoming the foreigner in your midst.
As both Naomi and Ruth remain alone, they propose a survival strategy for their future. At the climax of the story, Ruth risk her life by attempting a dangerous plan. She sneaks into Boaz’s room, uncovers his “feet”, and asks him to spread his cloak over her. She throws all of herself into this without knowing the outcome. Love is always risky. Will it be reciprocated? Boaz responds with an outpouring of acceptance, praise, and assurance for Ruth and her future.
Naomi is stripped of everything that gives her comfort and security. This unworkable tragedy leads her to doubt, disorientation, and deconstruction. It’s through this liminal space that her faith is broken and exposed. In that place, she experiences Hesed (extraordinary faithfulness and devotion).
Our friend and local pastor Ray Waters of The Village Church in Hapeville, GA joins us at Vinings Lake for a special message.
At their lowest point, Ruth and Naomi encounter a generous kinsman. Boaz practices radical generosity with his abundance. How do we care for those on the bottom? Does our economic system bend to provide for the powerless or the powerful?
Ruth, Orpah, and Naomi arrive at a crossroad. Which direction will they take? In an act of courage, Ruth stays true to her path. In doing so, she embodies 'hesed' love of the divine.
Naomi is stripped of everything that gives her life meaning and security. But she doesn't walk alone. Ruth and Orpah walk her home. We don't need solutions to our tragedies - we need solidarity.
A Bible written by men in a patriarchal society gives way to women who are often overlooked or seen as a supporting role in a man’s story. In this series, we will meet confident, compassionate, daring, and fierce women of the Bible who move the entire thing forward. Let us be moved to follow in the footsteps of the sacred feminine.
A Bible written by men in a patriarchal society gives way to women who are often overlooked or seen as a supporting role in a man’s story. In this series, we will meet confident, compassionate, daring, and fierce women of the Bible who move the entire thing forward. Let us be moved to follow in the footsteps of the sacred feminine.
A Bible written by men in a patriarchal society gives way to women who are often overlooked or seen as a supporting role in a man’s story. In this series, we will meet confident, compassionate, daring, and fierce women of the Bible who move the entire thing forward. Let us be moved to follow in the footsteps of the sacred feminine.
A Bible written by men in a patriarchal society gives way to women who are often overlooked or seen as a supporting role in a man’s story. In this series, we will meet confident, compassionate, daring, and fierce women of the Bible who move the entire thing forward. Let us be moved to follow in the footsteps of the sacred feminine.
A Bible written by men in a patriarchal society gives way to women who are often overlooked or seen as a supporting role in a man’s story. In this series, we will meet confident, compassionate, daring, and fierce women of the Bible who move the entire thing forward. Let us be moved to follow in the footsteps of the sacred feminine.