Not only did we have to bring in extra chairs, but we also had to add extra communion cups!! Big things are happening at our little Table. #thetabletx #community #ecclectic #vulnerable #inclusive #thoughtful
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” — 1 Peter 5:8-9a (NIV) (Our message this week was titled The Unholy Roar. Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
We began a new series this week titled Hearing God. Our big idea was: Don’t get overly caught up looking for God in the loud and the extraordinary, learn to discern the whispers. Like Elijah (see 1 Kings 19:9b-13) we often look for God in the mighty wind of a word audibly spoken, in the earthquake of an ecstatic, exhilarating, spiritual experience, or in the fire of intense feeling where the hair stands up on the back of our necks. And of course, God can speak in these ways. But audible voices and radical experiences are the exceptions rather than the rule. Instead, God normally speaks in whispers. As Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” In other words, God is always speaking, leading, teaching, and guiding. The question is, are we learning to listen? Are we learning to discern the voice of Christ speaking within the depths of our own being? (Our message this week was titled A Listening Life. Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
Esta semana comenzamos una nueva serie titulada Escuchando a Dios. Nuestra idea principal fue: No quedes atrapado(a) buscando a Dios en el ruido y lo extraordinario, aprende a discernir los susurros. Tal como Elias (ver 1 Reyes 19:9b-13), frecuentemente buscamos a Dios en el viento recio de una palabra hablada de modo audible, en el terremoto de una experiencia espiritual extática y estimulante, o en el fuego de un sentimiento intenso en el cual se nos paran los pelos. Y por supuesto que Dios puede hablar de esa manera. Sin embargo, voces audibles y experiencias radicales son la excepción y no la regla. En cambio, Dios habla normalmente en susurros. Como dice Isaías 30:21, “ya sea que te desvíes a la derecha o a la izquierda, tus oídos percibirán a tus espaldas una voz que dirá: “Este es el camino, síguelo”. En otras palabras, Dios siempre está hablando, dirigiendo, enseñando y guiando. La pregunta es, ¿estamos escuchando? ¿Estamos aprendiendo a discernir la voz de Cristo hablando desde las profundidades de nuestro propio ser? (Nuestro mensaje de esta semana fue titulado Una Vida de Escuchar. Aquí está un enlace para el sermón completo: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
“12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” — 1 Peter 4:12 (NIV) With the language of “surprise” and “strange” Peter is naming so powerfully that our suffering often comes less from the actual pain of the situation we’re enduring than the stories we tell ourselves about the pain. That’s the thing that gets us. It’s our thoughts, fears, and stories about the situation that becomes the worst. In other words, when faced with suffering, our best bet is to do one of two things: accept it or change it. But we don’t do either. We think about it endlessly. We replay the story we’ve told ourselves over and over and the fear continues to rise. (Our message this week was titled A Fiery Ordeal. Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
“12 Queridos hermanos, no se extrañen del fuego de la prueba que están soportando, como si fuera algo insólito.” — 1ra Pedro 4:12 (NVI) Con las palabras “extraño” (o sorpresa) e “insólito” (extraño), Pedro describe poderosamente que, con frecuencia, nuestro sufrimiento viene menos del dolor actual de la situación por la que pasamos y más de las historias que nos contamos acerca del dolor. Esto es lo que nos atrapa. Son nuestros pensamientos, miedos y las historias acerca de nuestra situación que se convierten en lo peor. En otras palabras, cuando enfrentamos sufrimiento, nuestro mejor proceder es hacer una de dos cosas: aceptarlo o cambiarlo. Sin embargo, no hacemos ninguna de las dos. Pensamos sobre el dolor eternamente. Repetimos constantemente la historia que nos contamos a nosotros mismos una y otra vez, y el miedo sigue aumentando. (Nuestro mensaje de esta semana se tituló El Fuego de la Prueba. Aquí está un enlace para el sermón completo: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
“2 Para vivir el resto de su vida terrenal no satisfaciendo sus pasiones humanas, sino cumpliendo la voluntad de Dios. 3 Pues ya basta con el tiempo que han desperdiciado haciendo lo que agrada a los incrédulos, entregados al desenfreno, a las pasiones, a las borracheras, a las orgías, a las parrandas y a las idolatrías abominables.” 1 Pedro 4:2-3 (NVI) (Nuestro mensaje de esta semana se tituló Los Consumidores y los Consumidos. Aquí está un enlace para el sermón completo: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
To be Christian is to acknowledge that it is grace all the way down for me. I don’t save myself, find myself, justify myself, or heal myself. Instead, we are saved, found, justified, and healed by the grace and goodness of God in Christ. This also changes, how we think about Christian discipleship and growing into Christlikeness (what the Bible calls sanctification). Even that becomes less about gritting our teeth and trying really hard. Instead, its about opening up, letting go, and surrendering to the Holy Spirit who is always present to me — the One willing me, drawing me, and calling me by name towards God, towards love, towards shalom. (Our message this week was titled The Simple Gospel. Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
El ser cristiano(a) es reconocer que la gracia lo es todo para mí. Yo no me salvo a mi mismo(a), no me encuentro, no me justifico ni me sano a mi mismo(a). En vez, somos salvos(as), encontrados(as), justificados(as) y sanados(as) por la gracia y bondad de Dios en Cristo. Esto también cambia cómo pensamos acerca del discipulado cristiano y el crecimiento hasta alcanzar la estatura de Cristo (lo que la Biblia llama santificación). Aún eso se convierte en algo menos acerca de “apretarnos los pantalones” y tratar fuerte. En vez, es más acerca de abrirse, dejar ir y rendirse al Espíritu Santo, quien siempre está presente para mí. El es quien me hace estar dispuesto(a), quien me atrae y quien me llama por nombre hacia Dios, hacia el amor, hacia shalom. (Nuestro mensaje de esta semana fue titulado El Evangelio Simple. Aquí está el enlace para el sermón completo: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
1 Peter 3:15a
The question is…. How good is your lord? Whomever they are or whatever it is…
1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” This is an extremely different mode of “evangelism” than the church has traditionally engaged. Rather than forcing the faith on people, we’re admonished to simply answer those who ask. Rather than arguing, we’re invited to give a reason for the hope that we have. And rather than engaging the conversation in a spirit of anxiety and fear, we’re encouraged to share in a spirit of gentleness and respect. Imagine what would change if we engaged with people of differing faiths, politics, and theology in this Christlike way? Just imagine. (Our message this week was titled Evangelism…Gulp. Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
1 de Pedro 3:15 dice: “Mas bien, honren en su corazón a Cristo como Señor. Estén siempre preparados para responder a todo el que les pida razón de la esperanza que hay en ustedes. Pero háganlo con gentileza y respeto…” Este es un modo extremadamente diferente de “evangelismo” del que la iglesia ha practicado tradicionalmente. En lugar de forzar la fe sobre las personas, se nos exhorta a simplemente responder a quienes pregunten. En lugar de discutir, se nos invita a dar razón de la esperanza que tenemos. Y en lugar de conversar en un espíritu de ansiedad y miedo, se nos anima a compartir en un espíritu de gentileza y respeto. ¿Te imaginas qué diferente sería si nos acercáramos a personas de diferentes convicciones religiosas, políticas y teológicas de esta manera imitadora de Cristo? Solo imagínatelo. (Nuestro mensaje de esta semana se tituló Evangelismo…Glup (traga saliva). Aquí está el enlace para el sermón completo: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
Tonight was my debut as a bass player. Playing with some amazing musicians on my late Grandpa Julio’s bass guitar. I’m still a beginner, but I’m excited to keep learning! #bassguitar #chickbassplayer #worshipmusic #thetabletx
Abstract facts and figures don’t change us. Abstract theologies and ideas, apart from the Spirit of God, don’t change us. But Jesus said in John 10, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” This is not the voice of rejection, nullification, or invalidation. This is not the voice that belittles, berates, or abuses. No, this is the voice that calls you beloved. This is the voice that calls you by name. When you are beat down and discouraged, the voice of Christ comes to you and says, “This is not the end of your story.” This Great voice, this voice of the Good Shepherd, this voice of the God who is Father-Son-Spirit — who is loving relationship itself — is the voice that calls you and draws you. You might ask though, “how do I know when it’s the voice of God? Maybe it’s just me? My own mind?” You know by the tone. God's voice always draws you towards love instead of hatred, forgiveness instead of bitterness, faith instead of fear. (Our message this week was titled Called By Name. Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
Hechos y cifras abstractas no nos cambian. Teologías e ideas abstractas, con excepción del Espíritu de Dios, no nos cambian. Pero Jesús dijo en Juan 10: “Mis ovejas oyen mi voz, y yo las conozco, y me siguen”. Esta no es la voz de rechazo, nulificación o invalidación. Esta no es la voz que empequeñece, regaña o abusa. No, esta es la voz que te llama amado y amada. Esta es la voz que te llama por tu nombre. Cuando estás derrotado o derrotada y desanimado o desanimada, la voz de Cristo viene a ti y te dice: “Este no es el final de tu historia”. La Gran voz, la voz del Buen Pastor, esta voz del Dios que es Padre-Hijo-Espíritu —quien es en sí mismo relación de amor — es la voz que te llama y te atrae. Quizás te preguntes, “¿cómo sé que es la voz De Dios? ¿seré yo? ¿será mi propia mente?” Lo sabes por el tono. La voz De Dios siempre te atrae hacia el amor en vez de odio, hacia el perdón en lugar de la amargura, hacia la fe y no hacia el miedo. (Nuestro mensaje esta semana se tituló Llamados por Nombre. A continuación el enlace para el sermón completo: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613)
John 19:30
“On Good Friday, we lament Jesus’ death while living in hope that death does not have the last word on our destiny. We are born with a longing, desire, and deep hope that this thing called life could somehow last forever. It is a premonition from something eternal that is already within us. Some would call it the soul. Christians would call it the indwelling presence of God. It is God within us that makes us desire and seek God.” //Richard Rohr
John 19:30
May your appetite for God grow this week!
Our message this week was titled Palm Sunday: From Miracles to Maturity. Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613
May our prayer life be more like falling in love rather than gritting our teeth.
Our message this week titled Soul Care was on the rich story from John 12:1-8 about Mary anointing Jesus feet in preparation for his burial. Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613
With more visibility comes more understanding. Today we show our support for the trans community!
A beautiful quote from our guest speaker Rev. Deniece Mason. For the full message follow the link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bxDuy5Y4IAPUKv6phrG8i?si=sBJjnF-MTYSyW_XCfKdY_w
A beautiful quote from our guest speaker Rev. Deniece Mason. For the full message follow the link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bxDuy5Y4IAPUKv6phrG8i?si=sBJjnF-MTYSyW_XCfKdY_w
Because of our “I-want-it-now” culture we simply have no patience for the process or for the journey. We want answers. We want results. We want to arrive and we want to do it now. But God is a “long haul” God. We say, “this isn’t happening fast enough.” God says, “Give it time. Give it space. I’m not done yet.”
These words from Julian of Norwich continue to be a comfort in difficult times. With all going on globally and locally we can remember Julian and here incredible experience. For the full story of this quote go here:https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/incontext/article/julian #thetable #thetabletx #sachsetx #planotx #dallastx #dallas #allentexas #allentx #wylietx #murphytx #garlandtx #rowletttx #christianity #spiritualhealth #spiritualhealing #spiritualgrowth #christianity #julianofnorwich #inspiration #hopeful
Our message this week titled Fig Trees & A Fast Food Culture was on the rather cryptic parable of given by Jesus to us in Luke 13:6-9. Listen to the full message below to find out why it’s not a parable about God’s judgement, so much as self-judgement. Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fig-trees-a-fast-food-culture/id1489269613?i=1000554659408
“31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! 34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” — Luke 13:31-34 (NIV) Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-tx/id1489269613
Beautiful words to reflect on from Rowan Williams regarding the season of Lent. .. . . . . . . . #thetable #thetabletx #sachsetx #planotx #dallastx #dallas #allentexas #allentx #wylietx #murphytx #garlandtx #rowletttx #christianity #spiritualhealth #spiritualhealing #spiritualgrowth #christianity #communion #lent #lgbtqiaaffirming
For many people, lent is a time they give up social media, sugary drinks, or some other habit. However, Lent is much more than that. Lent is a season of preperation. A time to remind us of our mortality and our desperate need for a Savior. What has Lent meant to you? How have you observed lent in the past? How are you observing it in the present? Let us know in the comments! . . . . . . . . . . . . . #thetable #thetabletx #sachsetx #planotx #dallastx #dallas #allentexas #allentx #wylietx #murphytx #garlandtx #rowletttx #christianity #spiritualhealth #spiritualhealing #spiritualgrowth #christianity #lent #preperation #Easter #goodfriday
Here’s a link to the full sermon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-mysterious-cosmos/id1489269613?i=1000553108005 . . . . . . . . . . . #thetable #thetabletx #sachsetx #planotx #dallastx #dallas #allentexas #allentx #wylietx #murphytx #garlandtx #rowletttx #christianity #spiritualhealth #spiritualhealing #spiritualgrowth #christianity
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:9-11 NIV Today, may we be people who respond with a blessing.
Listen here for the full message: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/revenge-or-blessing/id1489269613?i=1000552387379 . . . . . . . . . . #thetable #thetabletx #sachsetx #planotx #dallastx #dallas #allentexas #allentx #wylietx #murphytx #garlandtx #rowletttx #christianity #spiritualhealth
Today, may you rest in the truth that you are deeply loved.
So it is with the family of God. We pickup the values and rhythms of Christian living by participating in a local community of Christ followers. Full message here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-christians-upended-the-world/id1489269613?i=1000549465375
An artist and a dragon dog just hanging out at a camper van. Normal things 😛 This is about how our world feels right now as we have uprooted from Chattanooga and landed in Sachse, Tx... A bit out of sorts, kinda random yet intentional... all is falling into place, slowly but surely. 🤍 Cheers to new adventures with people we love so much. 🤸🏽♀️ #thetabletx #lgbtq #church #affirming #eclectic #vulnerability #allwelcome #goldendoodle #texas #trunkortreat #sachsetx #dogsofinstagram
We are continuing our Deconstruction series with a message titled, "Deconstruction & Hell" Join us at 5pm online or in-person!
. . . . . #thetabletx #planotx #dallastx #dallas #jesus #sachsetx #mckinneytx #garlandtx #rowletttx #christianity #sermons #sermon #christ #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtdallas #christiandemocrat #dallaslgbt #lgbtchristian #deconstructing #mentalhealth #scripture #scriptureinterpretation #lgbtqally #pride #pridedallas #robbell #spiritualabuse #theliturgists #dirtyrottenchurchkids
. . . . . . #thetabletx #planotx #dallastx #dallas #jesus #sachsetx #mckinneytx #garlandtx #rowletttx #christianity #sermons #sermon #christ #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtdallas #christiandemocrat #dallaslgbt #lgbtchristian #deconstructing #mentalhealth #scripture #scriptureinterpretation #solitude #lgbtqally #pride #pridedallas #universalism #lovewins #robbell
If you know someone in the LGBTQI+ community kick them a text today expressing your love and appreciation for who they are. It’s still a difficult world to “come out” in — especially in a Christian context — so lets be doubly intentional to ensure they know that they are seen, valued, and deeply deeply loved.
A message from our Pastor. To our LGBTQI+ friends- we love you, support you, and affirm you!
The moment I get in my mind that these people (whoever they may be) are really in my way to some higher religious goal, I’ve lost the plot of the story, I’ve lost the path on my journey. I’ve fallen into the religious trap.
Here’s a quote that unpacks this from the marvelous book “A General Theory of Love.” “[Relational] pursuits sink slowly and steadily lower on America’s list of collective priorities. Top-ranking items remain the pursuit of wealth, physical beauty, youthful appearance, and the shifting, elusive markers of status. There are brief spasms of pleasure to be had at the end of those pursuits — the razor thin delight of the latest purchase, the momentary glee of flaunting this promotion or that unnecessary trinket — pleasure here, but not contentment. Happiness is within range only for [skillful] people who give the slip to America’s values. These rebels will necessarily forgo exalted titles, glamorous friends, exotic vacations, washboard abs, designer everything — all the proud indicators of upward mobility — and in exchange, they may just get a chance at a decent life.” — A General Theory of Love
A link to the full message is in the bio.
What am I getting at with these questions? So often, we are bull headed and stubborn and frustrated with humanity such that we expect everyone to come up to our level. We expect everyone to receive what we have to say in the way that we want to say it and if they don’t like it well that’s their fault. We expect everyone to receive what we have to do, how we want to meet people, and if they don’t like it, well that’s their fault. Not only is this attitude a generally ineffective way to try and move through the world though, it’s also remarkably un-Christ-like. 😬 (Link to full message in bio).
For more on this, see the three short stories found in John 20:11-28 where Jesus meets Mary and gives her the gift of her name, meets the twelve and gives them the gift of peace, and then meets Thomas and gives him the gift of faith.
Back at Pleasant Valley UMC for service tonight at @tablechurchtx . I’ll see you at 5pm.
Palm Sunday truth. 🙂
Our service tonight at @tablechurchtx will be brought to you from Pleasant Valley UMC. The only people here will be the tech and worship teams as we do a test run in preparation for both our outdoor Easter service on the 4th and then our return here on the 11th. It’s a night that carries a lot of emotion for me as it’s a year and one week since we had our last service here. What a season it’s been. In the end, thanks to Gods grace and so many wonderful volunteers, givers, and faithful members we have made it. Even as a baby church, we made it and I can’t wait to begin seeing many of you again in the weeks and months to come. We’ve stretched, we’ve grown, we’ve learned to trust God at new levels and now it’s time for us to start a new chapter. Here’s to moving forward.
Of course, Jung isn’t talking about trees. He’s talking about you. 🔥💪❤️
Some of us are coming back from a vacation, some of us are starting a normal week, and some of may be looking forward to a break. No matter what lies ahead, here is your reminder to slow down. All is well.
Think of our most common prayer: “take this away! Remove this suffering, remove this pain, remove this problem, remove this struggle, remove this challenge, remove this trial. Take it away Lord!” Yet, the very situation we think is killing us, just might be saving us. Think of 2 Corinthians 12:9 where Paul asks God to remove the thorn in his flesh — a metaphor for some type of physical, spiritual, or psychological suffering. How does Christ respond? “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” A beautiful and powerful shift is taking place inside of him.
One word that is often used, that I think is a really helpful metaphor of this returning is the word centered. It can sound a bit cliche (“I need to center!”). But, the reason it’s helpful is because it’s a word that describes the feeling on the inside of being present. Let me describe it. You know when you are in that state where you are very energized, and yet calm? That inner state where, praise the Lord, your mind is not obsessing about the past, or running off to the future in that crazy anxious way it usually does. Instead, you are simply here, present, and suddenly you find that in that place you are at your absolute best. It’s like your ego is dropping away, and your true self, that is your God centered Holy Spirit infused self, is able to make the perfect response. It’s like somehow, simply your presence, has become healing and life giving for the people around you. Why? Because God, for just a few minutes, was flowing through you. You were centered. You were present.
“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.” — Isaiah 30:15 (NLT)
“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.” (Eph. 2:3)
I hope you can join us at The Table for our service via Facebook live at 5pm CST tonight. The title of the message is Return. I’ll be unpacking how tempted we are to run from our lives, but how God always meets us in the returning.
All three matter and in fact they seem to weave together and support one another. For example, without the notion of the divine image within each person (i .e. the ethic of divinity) the ethics of autonomy and eventually community seem likely to erode. Yet, with only an ethic of divinity notions of purity and holiness can drive us to a chronic self-righteousness.
Dr. Richard Shweder points out that there are three great moral themes drawn on by various cultures to explain why something is right or wrong. 1. The Ethics of Autonomy Autonomy here means moral independence. The idea is that I can do whatever I want as long as I do not hurt anyone else. As long as I do not infringe upon their rights, upon their freedoms. But the moment I hurt someone else, then it’s wrong. Then I’ve gone too far. 2. The Ethics of Community Here the idea is that people are not simply isolated individuals, but rather people find themselves embedded in larger groups — families, companies, towns, churches, nations, and so on. And in fact, life as we know it would not be possible without these communities, therefore (folks in non-Western countries say) people have an obligation to align their lives in such a way that these communities can flourish. 3. The Ethics of Divinity This says that people are, above all else, before they are part of a community, and before they are an individual, people are carriers of the divine image. Call it the soul, call it the divine spark, call it what you want — but it’s all language trying to grasp, trying to name this reality. To put it in more Christian terms, the ethic of divinity is naming that we are in some mysterious way, called into existence by God, that we are sustained in every moment by God’s Spirit, and that when we die it is to God that we return to be judged. Unfortunately, in the West we tend to completely overlook the ethics of community and divinity. (Inspired from my reading of Jonathan Haidt’s book The Righteous Mind).
My big idea for the message tonight is: You are not a thing. You are a temple — a house of divinity. I hope you can join us at @tablechurchtx online via Facebook live at 5pm. P.S. For anyone interested our State of The Table meeting will be happening via Google Meets a few minutes after the service at 6:15pm. We’ll be talking about our plans for reopening. :) DM me if you’d like that google meets info.