By: Hannah Gillespie Throughout the Bible, God uses small things to accomplish big plans. We see this in the famous tale of David and Goliath. David selected five small pebbles, such a small and insignificant object alone. But David’s faith in God allowed him to accomplish what seemed …
Theology
Meeting Hopes and Fears
Entering this Advent season with acute aches and chronic longings, we’re drawn to the ready gifts offered by A Rocha Arts partners. Lyric expressions taken from recently-released works serve as a spring from which each week’s reflection flows. The Third Week of Advent: Bethlehem by Kellie …
The Sounding of Sorrows
By W. David O. Taylor Like many in the A Rocha community, I felt gutted by the news of the sudden death of Miranda, Chris and Susanna in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. My immediate response was a blank mind. I simply couldn’t wrap my mind around the nightmarish accident that had taken place half …
Hope for California this Easter
Rejoice! Here at the ARUSA blog, we’ve done a series or two on waiting, because our two seasons of waiting – Lent and Advent – are important parts of the Christian year. They call us inward, to reflect on the processes of the earth and our roles within them. However, we haven’t yet done a …
Broiled Fish
Rejoice! Here at the ARUSA blog, we’ve done a series or two on waiting, because our two seasons of waiting – Lent and Advent – are important parts of the Christian year. They call us inward, to reflect on the processes of the earth and our roles within them. However, we haven’t yet done a …
Preparing for Peace
by Robert Campbell It’s my job to get the boxes out of the garage. That’s the unofficial beginning of our Christmas preparations. Usually, I will put the lights on the tree before we add the ornaments together. The children work at putting the garlands above the doorways and the mama begins one …
In the Fullness of Time
As fall turns to winter, the earth goes to sleep. Trees lose their leaves, annuals die, and perennials lay dormant. Last season’s leaf litter covers the bare patches of soil in the garden bed, and we wait for spring to return. Still, under the ice and snow and bitter cold, the ground is teeming …
Happy Easter
The green blade that we have been waiting for, in faith and hope, has emerged! I love Easter, because it signifies the start of “the rest of the story”. After Christmas we learn the story of Jesus, of His life and teachings, but after Easter we learn of the Risen Jesus, the beginning of the …
Sabbath For All Creation
This post originally appeared on A Rocha International's Planetwise blog on March 31, 2017. By Dave Bookless Sabbath has an image problem. For some it conveys Victorian strictness: starched uncomfortable clothes, ‘improving’ books, and long church services. Others may remember last-ditch …
And The Green Weed Rises
During this season of Lent, A Rocha USA is hosting a series of posts on the theme of waiting, resurrection, and creation care, using the hymn “Now The Green Blade Rises” as inspiration. Full text of the hymn can be found here. By Robert Campbell We’re a short way into Lent and, dang, that's a …