"Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord" ~ Mark 11:10 


The crowd cried out "Hosanna!" as Jesus entered into Jerusalem seated on a donkey. Hosanna means "Save us!" I think we often welcome God into our lives the same way the crowd welcomed Jesus: "Save us!" Save us from debt! Save us from our tiresome relatives or neighbors or bosses or co-workers. Save us from terrorism and climate change! Save us from the cold winters and the hot summers! Save us from our fears and unrealized hopes! Save us! We cry out to God to enter into the cities of our lives and overthrow all the external problems which keep us from being comfortably faithful. However, as Shakespeare famously wrote, "The fault lies not in the stars but in ourselves." Or as Jesus said it is not the things outside us that defile, but the things within. Jesus comes to save us from ourselves. Are we ready to accept the savior who forgoes the warhorse for the donkey, who calls us to repent, to love our enemies even unto death on a cross? If so then join the crowd and make way for the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord! 
~Pastor Eric

" Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other." ~ John 13:34

When I was a child I was taught it was not polite to talk about certain things in good company, namely: money, politics, religion and sex. As I grew up and read my Bible I came to the undeniable conclusion that Jesus was not polite- or at least had bad manners. He never missed a moment to talk about money, politics (the Kingdom of God) or religion. Yet, there is one topic that Jesus does not seem concerned about: sex. As much as modern media and religious pundits would wish it otherwise Jesus has basically nothing to say on the subject. No condemnation of gays, lesbians, bisexuals or transgender persons. No rejection of transvestites or queers. What Jesus is concerned about is relationship. Relationships with God and with one another governed by one simple rule: love. Love God, love your yourself and love your neighbor. Who is your neighbor? Often the person you would least expect: the wierdo, the oddball, the enemy, the Samaritan, the leper, the queer, and even the person looking back at you in the mirror. Jesus' message is simple: don't judge, love. Imagine what the world would look like- imagine what Suffield would look like if we all lived out that simple message.
~Pastor Eric