Touchpoints by Jim Hanson (Page 7)
Rev. “Bro. Jim” Jim Hanson serves as Spirit’s “Faith Mentor.” The dictionary defines a mentor as ‘an experienced and trusted advisor’. Jim is available for conversation throughout the day and evening for those who would like to reflect on their faith journey.</p>
Jim has worked with churches and individuals as far away as in Japan, as well as churches in the U.S. involved in Chinese, Hispanic, and other ministries. No matter where you are in your life of faith, just beginning or far along, Jim is available to spend time with you, hear your story, and reflect with you on the depth and mystery of your experience with the Divine.
Blessing or Woe? Woe or Blessing?
“This passage comforts the afflicted … and afflicts the comfortable. And if you want to know which one you are, look no further than your response to this passage. Where does this ‘passage’ take you? To comfort or discomfort?”
Unity, not Separation
Grace and peace from the Mystery in whom we live and move and have our being. The essence of the Divine. Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” Luke 5:1-11 Peter is both right and wrong at the same time. “I’m a sinner” … Correctomundo Peter! “Leave me to myself” … Couldn’t be more wrong on that one. Before we begin to talk about this text, we have to come to some definition…
Cliff Hanger
Grace and peace from the Mystery in whom we live and move and have our being. The Messiah of all. They got up, drove him out of town, and led him up to the brow of a hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff.” Luke 4: 14-30 Why do I get the feeling this Touchpoint isn’t going to end well? Sometimes I wonder about the people who came up with the…
The Heresy of Individualism
“Now you know why Luther was mocked when he insisted on the Real Presence of the Christ in this meal. People laughed at him and said, “If Christ is really present in the bread and wine than you might as well say he is present in the cabbage soup at the local pub.” To which Luther supposedly replied, “Yes, exactly.”
God’s Wedding Reception
“This miracle story isn’t about celebrating the marriage of two people. It is a celebration of the marriage of God, the Divine, the Mystery, with humanity, with you and me. There are no roads that lead to God because God has come to be with us. God has come to marry us. Unite with us. Become one with us.”
Therefore, Be It Resolved
“Make no mistake about it. This is a reversal from how God is often portrayed, talked about, pictured. We always think we have to do something first. We have to act first, and then, God as judge, will decide after we are all done whether to accept us or not. But this baptism story, and where it is placed in Luke’s Gospel is a reminder that we have it all backwards. It’s only Chapter 3 and Jesus has done nothing at this point in the Gospel of Luke to warrant God’s love and delight.”
Treasured
“Perhaps that is why this meal is so important to me. In the night in which he was betrayed, the Christ –who was treasured by no one this night – took bread and wine and said to his disciples, “You are my treasure… This is my body and blood given and shed because I treasure you and ALL PEOPLE.” Here in this meal I experience a Jesus who is all grown up… who has grown bigger than my expectations and understanding… who treasures the untreasurable, forgives the unforgiveable, and loves the unlovable.”
The Light
“You know, we think that it is on Good Friday, on the cross, that God sacrifices God’s self. But actually, it’s at Christmas, in the incarnation, that the Divine is sacrificed. Think of the words we most often use to describe God. All-knowing, All-powerful, All-present. But here, at Christmas, in the incarnation, God sacrifices all of that to be at-one with us. God sacrifices it all to live and dwell amongst us. God sacrifices it all to bring the light to us.”
Two Women
“On the one hand, I am fully aware that I am not among the 1% and so I kind of like the idea of bringing the mighty and powerful down, but I don’t have to drive more than a few minutes from here to realize that to a great many people, I am the proud, the powerful, and the rich.”
John the Baptist’s Hot Sauce
“And so, I need that unquenchable fire to burn in me. To burn away the chaff in me so that I can bear fruit that befits repentance. What I need is a continual baptism of water and fire. Though frankly, I would just prefer the water.”
Frankly, I Prefer the Baby
“And yet, even in my denial, betrayal and taking flight, “THE WORD OF GOD CAME,” the Christ comes to me in my denial and betrayal, and like a good shepherd pursues me in my flight away from him.”
A Different Kingdom
“resources cut. It’s present whenever the homeless are sheltered, rather than demonized. It’s there whenever children are welcomed, rather than put in cages.”