Join us on the Journey

This devotional from Palms Presbyterian
church is aimed at thinking about what it means to be following Jesus in discipleship.

Please add to the conversation in the comments - comments will be reviewed for appropriateness. Conversation always helps the learning process so speak up and tell us what you think about the text and our lives as disciples.

If you would like to receive these devotionals by email please contact the Rev. Andrew Kukla at andrew.kukla@palmschurch.org and ask to be added to the email list.

Monday, May 9, 2011

May 9: The Re-zoning of Creation

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city.”
--Revelation 22:1


The Tree of Life returns to the Biblical story – from the first chapters of Genesis to the last chapters of Revelation, this tree stands at the beginning and the end of the story. However, rather than standing as a tree within a garden now it’s a tree that springs out from within the city of God – truly an oasis amid the urban landscape of creation.

One thing I learned early in coming to Palms was that the property we sit on is zoned residential, and because of this there is a higher percentage of the land that is required to be permeable (water can flow in and out… in other words – it can’t all be paved and built upon with concrete, wood, and bricks) than would be the case if it was zoned commercial or industrial.

Reading the final chapters of Revelation I’m struck that the (re)New(ed) Jerusalem is the re-zoning of creation as the garden springs up from within creation to overtake the out-of-control commercialization/industrialization of our lives.

Our cities won’t pass away… but creation will overtake them and make them whole – breathing, verdant, permeable landscapes of life and love and goodness and grace.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

May 5: Double Standards

Greetings Friend,
I have take a week and half off from any devotional thoughts but figured it was time to resume some form of daily (twice weekly... whatever I happen to manage to send out) devotional. I'm feeling a bit tired of Acts to be honest and do not think I will resume going through the book (we've been in it over a year now after all). Also there was a lot of good response to the short devotional thoughts from the Lent Devotional. So for now, until the Spirit guides otherwise, I will probably do a random mix of scriptural thoughts and random thinking about diserning the meaning of discipleship. I appreciate any feedback, particularly if you have suggestions what you might like to see happen in this devotional space. And now... to today's random discipleship thought.

with love, Andrew


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Double Standards:
It strikes me that one of the most unpalatable (and thus ignored)
aspects of Christian life is that it requires that we hold ourselves
to higher standards than the world around us does...

and even more challenging?

Its not about worth, or earning entry,
or being better than other people...
its just about being who we already are and
how God made us to be.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Lent Devotional: Resurrection Sunday, April 24

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!

Lent Devotional: Holy Saturday, April 23

Sandwiched between death and life, agony and ecstasy.
All is silent. The world seems paused. Love at rest?
Could this be the day, Holy Saturday, where we live the most?

(a reflection by Dr. Tom Walker)

Lent Devotional: Good Friday, April 22

Dark...chilling...earth shattering...overpowering loneliness...lost...heart broken...swirling sorrow...deep grief...Suffering Servant Love...what wondrous love IS this?

(Reflection by Rev. Carol DiGiusto)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Lent Devotional: Maundy Thursday, April 21

Their last night together, Jesus gathered his disciples:
faithful, brave, sacrificing, scared, thoughtless, denying, betraying,
his friends.
They shared a meal, and then he gave them the message one last time:
he washed their feet, saying, "Do this - serve one another like I serve you.
Love one another as I love you."
The disciples ate in silence while he spoke to them,
chewing, listening, minds wandering, wondering.
And then he walked out to the garden.

(Reflection by Rev. Katie Day)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Lent Devotional: April 20

Sympathy sends a care card to a person in need... but it doesn't enter the brokenness or feel the pain. Compassion enters into the world of the destitute to suffer with the other...our neighbor... our brother and sister... this is Christ-like love - for Christ is the great example (shows us the way) of entering into the life, and pain, of creation.

We cannot love with our eyes closed.

(Reflection by Rev. Andrew Kukla)