This is our last week of photo stories as we near Pentecost. I am so grateful to rehearse the reality of Christ's gift of "life that trumps death" with some beautiful contributions this week. Thank you to everyone who shared photos and stories this year. You made Eastertide a brighter, more joyful season for us!

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"My nephew was married the Saturday after Easter. It was a bittersweet celebration because our mother, his grandmother, passed away two weeks before. We all said she would have loved the wedding and celebration afterwards and she was certainly with us in spirit." (Frank McCamant, Austin)

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"We harvested some onions. I love Texas gardening." (Jim Janknegt)

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" 'With our fingers spread out we cannot do much damage. But when we gather into a fist we can strike a mighty blow against the powers and principalities which seek to destroy our love.' Honored to stand with sisters and brothers at Curry Temple CME this morning." (Halley Ballast, Seattle)

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"Our last day with these girls in Kenya. Your life will be changed forever coming here. I can guarantee you that." (Kaolhi Ly, Austin)

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"Our family is so excited about the banana tree in our front yard! It's been fascinating to watch them grow. Can't wait to get a bite!" (A.S., West Africa)

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"My heart is full. Seventeen of us congregated around our Granny this afternoon, to celebrate her 102nd birthday. We also took a long, scenic Saturday afternoon drive." (Kim Akel, Austin)

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"Etruscan bronze chariot from the 6th century BC at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was one of my daughter's favorite pieces at the museum; her face on seeing it was priceless." (Laurel Rudd, central NY)

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"This child will work for hours in the dirt, cover herself with mud just for fun, but still wipes her fork on her napkin between every bite at dinner. My kids work in the garden to be amazed by the Creator, not because they like to eat radishes. Too spicy." (Rachel Brown, Austin)

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"I love the reminder of how God moves and works among His people. Thanks to Nathan Clinebelle for capturing the emotion of our sponsored child (at Potter's House, Guatemala). She had been praying to God to ask for a new pair of soccer shoes for her league that starts in a few weeks. Brianna felt the call to bring her new shoes this week. Such joy and reminders of how He loves us so! Cristo Vive!" (Suzanne Trotter & Brianna Oliva, Austin)

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"Sunrises are a rare treat here and this came on a day when I needed to be reassured of His constant promises." (Sarah Day, Southwest China)

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Looking ahead to Pentecost

I'm excited about a new guest post series I'm introducing in the coming weeks. In his excellent devotional guide Living the Christian Year, author Bobby Gross structures the season of Pentecost/Ordinary Time around three rhythms for "faithful, Spirit-filled living in the midst of the world that God loves." I'm going to respond to one of those complementary themes - Work & Rest - as the inspiration for the blog series.

I'll tell you more soon. In the meantime, I'll share an excerpt from theologian Miroslav Volf (referenced both by Bobby Gross and my favorite daily quote from Topology Magazine)

Whole being

The followers of Christ are engaged in the world with their whole being. Engagement is not a matter of either speaking or doing; not a matter of either offering a compelling intellectual vision or embodying a set of alternative practices; not a matter of either merely making manifest the richness and depth of interior life or merely working to change the institutions of society; not a matter of either only displaying alternative politics as gathered in Eucharistic celebrations or merely working for change as the dispersed people of God. It is all of these things and more. The whole person in all aspects of her life is engaged in fostering human flourishing and serving the common good.

Miroslav Volf
A Public Faith

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In what ways are you practicing resurrection this week? I'd love to hear about it!

your Practice Resurrection photo stories. [2016.2]

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" 'With our fingers spread out we cannot do much damage. But when we gather into a fist we can strike a mighty blow against the powers and principalities which seek to destroy our love.' Honored to stand with sisters and brothers at Curry Temple CME this morning." (Halley Ballast, Seattle)

.....

"Our last day with these girls in Kenya. Your life will be changed forever coming here. I can guarantee you that." (Kaolhi Ly, Austin)

.....

"Our family is so excited about the banana tree in our front yard! It's been fascinating to watch them grow. Can't wait to get a bite!" (A.S., West Africa)

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"My heart is full. Seventeen of us congregated around our Granny this afternoon, to celebrate her 102nd birthday. We also took a long, scenic Saturday afternoon drive." (Kim Akel, Austin)

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"Etruscan bronze chariot from the 6th century BC at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was one of my daughter's favorite pieces at the museum; her face on seeing it was priceless." (Laurel Rudd, central NY)

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"This child will work for hours in the dirt, cover herself with mud just for fun, but still wipes her fork on her napkin between every bite at dinner. My kids work in the garden to be amazed by the Creator, not because they like to eat radishes. Too spicy." (Rachel Brown, Austin)

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"Sunrises are a rare treat here and this came on a day when I needed to be reassured of His constant promises." (Sarah Day, Southwest China)

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Looking ahead to Pentecost

Whole being

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In what ways are you practicing resurrection this week? I'd love to hear about it!

tamara hill murphy

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