Hi folks,
Tis the season, they say. It doesn’t get more “tis-y” than for clergy this time of year. Needless to say, it has been a busy week. Sorry for my tardiness in posting what to look forward to at Darkwood Brew this evening.
First off, I will be starting the episode, and moderating Backwood Buzz afterwards (streamed live for 20 min immediately following Darkwood Brew), but our new Associate Minister, Rev. Chris Alexander, will be hosting. She preached at Countryside this morning and really created a nice buzz. We figured that she may as well get thrown in the “lake” of Darkwood Brew this evening while we’re still in “soft-soft launch” mode to let her try and swim rather than having to host for the first time after we’re well underway (I do go out of town from time to time …). Keep her in your hearts and prayers. I’m sure she’ll do great on the “message” stuff. It’s getting used to the technology that’s difficult. It took me several weeks to get comfortable and I’m still very much in learning mode.
Second, we’ve got a great Skype guest this evening from Down Under (Yes, Virginia, that’s Australia.). His name is Rod Dungan. Rod spent around 20 years with national setting of the Uniting Church of Australia focused on ministry to and by youth. Currently he serves as a chaplain at a public high school (Yes, Virginia, they do that in Australia – and the chaplains have to serve multiple faiths.). But most importantly, Rod is an amazingly interesting person with a keen intellect, sharp wit, intuitive presence, and compassionate soul. Oh, and he’s funnier than the dickens.
Third, the central question we’re considering this week is: Where are you running into a dead end in your life that needs a complete change of perspective to get through?
Finally, the Pneuma Divina focus passage is John 3:1-8:
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
