Braid Mission

We have much to learn from the story of Elijah's ascent and how he takes a healthy departure from someone he has mentored.

This week we found great relief in hearing Jesus's parable of the sower and being reminded that the good news can only take root on ground that is ready to receive it.

Though the woman in this story is unnamed, Jesus lifts her up as an example of the type of love that is born out of our own healing.  More information about the CEB Women's Bible.

Having the important relationships in our lives restored and healed might be the greatest miracle we could ask for.

In work with foster youth, as in most acts of healing and teaching, we may not ever see the miraculous taking place in front of our eyes. But if, like the centurion in this week's story, we believe in the possibility and the authority of healing, we will see the results. 

  The Apostle Paul believed in a deep hope that transcends what we know in this world, a hope that was held in community. We have found that same hope reflected and shared in our Cards of Hope program to send birthday and holiday cards to youth in group homes.

We have learned at Braid that "family" is much more than biology, and often the relationships we choose have the most to teach us about what it means to be family.

How can the church offer a standing invitation to wholeness in a world that tells us we have to ask for help? Read Ethan's post on the Braid blog.

How do we answer Jesus's invitation to healing that isdeeperthan all we desire?

As we hear the story of Peter encountering the Holy Spirit where he least expected it, we wonder which comes first: the Spirit's presence, or our invocation of it?

In the story of "Doubting Thomas," the evidence of Jesus's trauma makes him recognizable to one of his closest followers and friends after the resurrection. What does this mean for those of us who represent the body of Christ? With special guest Charlotte Wilson 

We all experience cycles of death and resurrection over and over in our earthly journeys. In our Easter podcast, we reflect on the communities of love and support that help us emerge from the tombs of difficulty and trauma into new life.

As the church begins its remembrance of Jesus's last days before his death, we wonder how fully celebrating the joyful and triumphant moments of life inspires and enables us to walk into darker and more challenging moments as well.

As we reflect on Jesus' parable of the prodigal son, we explore what it might look like if the roles were reversed, as they often are for foster youth who are reunited with their parents.

With God's encouragement, Moses found his voice, his sense of identity, and capabilities he never dreamed of. We reflect on the work of our friends at California Youth Connection and all the ways we empower each other in community. 

On this St. Valentine's Day, we offer a re-broadcast of our show from February last year, "Remember Your Belovedness," in which we honored the memory of one of our first friends in San Francisco and what she taught us about claiming God's love for us.

In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul gives us all permission and courage to step into the presence of God and be transformed.

We remember one of Rebecca's heroes in ministry and the challenges of following Saint Paul's prescription for unconditional love.

Especially in light of this week celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, we reflect on Paul's words to the Corinthians about the interconnectedness of all members of our community and the essential contribution of every part of the body.