+ The Good Life

Is Anyone Worthy?

This past Sunday, as we gathered around the Lord’s Table, we reflected on the stirring scene of Revelation 5, which asks the question: Is Anyone Worthy? 

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, and we’ll turn to John 12, where Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of Hosanna! and palm branches waving. We’ll contrast this scene with John’s later vision in Revelation 7, where vast crowds from every nation wave palm branches before the throne of God, worshiping the Lamb.

In between those two palm-waving parades, John gives us a vision of Four Horsemen in Revelation 6—agents of conquest, war, famine, and death—who ride out when humanity pursues power apart from God. You can view Albrecht Dürer’s vivid etching of the horsemen here.

When we contrast this stampede with the way Jesus rides into our lives, it raises questions worth reflecting on as we prepare for Holy Week:

• What kind of King are we looking for?
• What kind of parade do we join?
• Where are we placing our hope?

As we journey toward Easter, I’m excited to worship the One who is truly worthy:

the Lamb who was slain,

the King who rides a donkey,

the Lord who reigns at the center of it all.

 

Walking through Christ’s Open Door

This Lenten season at Summerland Church, we’ve been journeying together through the stunning, often mysterious vision given to St. John in the final book of the Bible. This past Sunday, we explored the messages to the seven churches—real communities forming a kind of circle along the Roman roads in southwest Turkey. I’ve included a map here so you can trace how the letter would have traveled, from one church to the next, carried by hand and heart.

Each message from the risen Christ follows a familiar pattern: a word of praise, a word naming the problem, and a word of promise. These aren't just words for ancient congregations—they’re meant for us, too. Christ makes clear that every church—and every believer—has a part to play in revealing his presence to the world. The chapter ends with the image of Christ standing at a door and knocking.

This Sunday, we’ll step through that door.

In Revelation 4, John writes, “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.” What follows is a breathtaking vision: God on the throne, surrounded by radiant worship and unfathomable beauty. It’s not just a glimpse into another world—it’s an invitation into deeper fellowship with Christ.
Albrecht Dürer’s engraving captures this moment with reverence and imaginative detail, drawing us into the grandeur of this heavenly throne room. While his image doesn’t depict the seven churches explicitly, we remember that John’s vision came to churches arranged in a circle on earth—and now he sees a corresponding circle of praise around God in heaven. The worship of the local church is mysteriously joined to the worship of heaven.

Where can we Find Jesus

As we journey through Lent, we continue our theme: The Triumph of Grace: Awakening the Spiritual Imagination through the Visions of Revelation. This past Sunday, we explored John’s vision of the Risen Christ speaking to the church in Ephesus, recorded in Revelation 2:1-7.

In this text, we see a phenomenon I call spiritual amnesia—the tendency to forget the deep love of Christ that first captured our hearts. Jesus calls the church to remember their “first love” and return to the joy and devotion they once knew.

To help us in this process during Lent, we are encouraging one another to share art, music, and literature that awaken our spiritual imagination and stir our love for God and others.

Reflections on a Year of Blessings and a Christmas Greeting

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year filled with meaningful experiences and heartfelt connections. From exploring fascinating destinations to cherishing time with family and friends, we are profoundly grateful. At the same time, we mourn meaningful losses and have endured our share of ailments. Through it all,  we are grateful for many mercies that are new every morning.

This year’s travels have taken us to remarkable destinations, including Anchorage, Bali, Bangkok, all around California, Fairbanks, the Florida Keys, Honolulu, Seattle, Singapore, Spokane, and Washington, DC. Along the way, we’ve had the joy of visiting dear family, connecting with old friends, and making new ones. No matter where our journeys take us, we are always thankful to return home to Santa Barbara—a community that inspires us with its creativity and draws remarkable thinkers, entertainers, and artists who make it truly special.

I recently began my fifth year in the administration at Westmont College, a role I continue to find rewarding. In May, I was also honored to step into the pastoral ministry at the Presbyterian Church in Summerland, a delightful community of thoughtful and caring Christians in a seaside hamlet just moments from the college.

Cindy actively serves the church, P.E.O., and Master Gardeners and works on various other projects. Her favorite project is, by far, caring for our grandchildren. It’s pure joy!

As I reflected on all the doors that opened to us this past year, I created a Davis Family Christmas Video with a fun 1960s “Get Smart” vibe. Back in the ‘60s, many prayed for wisdom about resolving the conflict in Vietnam and reversing the nuclear arms race. Now, the world faces even more existential challenges. We join with all those of goodwill who seek wisdom, peace, and love. We are profoundly thankful for Jesus, our Savior, who lights the way.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas!

 

 

Partners in Prayer