Amy Stott

Before the water turned into wine, someone had to do the ordinary, tiresome task of filling the water pots. We want the new wine to just appear, but Jesus calls us to fill the jars first. In short, God often wants us to participate in our own transformation.

Jesus tells us to pray for daily bread, but we’d rather have a Costco relationship with God. We'd rather have stuff in bulk so as not to come back to God so often. But we can't live without daily dependence.

Holy Saturday is the place that sits between the old and the new; despair and hope; darkness and light. God remains in the tomb, but in a few hours will burst forth with so much life that death will have no recourse but to die.

Good Friday Reversals.

Authority ≠ Character Title ≠ Character Charisma ≠ Character Platform ≠ Character Influence ≠ Character Accomplishments ≠ Character Intelligence ≠ Character Bible knowledge ≠ Character Education ≠ Character The list goes on. Character is revealed in how well we love.

Ash Wednesday is not a day to manufacture guilt. It’s a day to recognize our brokenness, frailty, and trust in God’s love. It’s a day to freely come before God and declare, “I am human, I am dust, and I am loved.” #AshWednesday