Here’s a poem I wrote based on the beginning of this week’s Narrative Lectionary reading. (It’s in the Lenten Devotional.) Bad at Math This guy’s a little crazy, don’t you think?This shepherd who told the whole town:“I found my lost sheep”Which is to say,“I lost a sheep”And to say,“I left ninety-nine of my sheep to…
Since the full Lenten devotional is available here, I won’t be posting the entry for each day on my blog. But I thought this reflection on this week’s Narrative Lectionary scripture might be helpful for some of you preachers. At the end of today’s scripture reading, there are two brief, distinct passages. In the first,…
As we prepare to begin Lent next week, I want to share with you all some resources that might be helpful as you plan for spiritual formation and worship. (If, that is, you don’t already have everything planned. Which I know some of you don’t.) I just finished this devotional booklet! It contains daily reflections…
As we move from Palm Sunday to Good Friday, a lot of people wonder how the “Hosanna” of Palm Sunday gave way to the “Crucify him!”of Good Friday. How did the crowd go from praising Jesus to condemning him, all in a matter of days? Well, it didn’t. Because we are talking about two different…
The women go to the tomb with spices, the stone is already rolled away, and suddenly two men in dazzling clothes show up, say “Jesus is not here, but has risen,” and the women blunder off to tell the apostles “all this.” The men regard the women’s talk as—it’s usually translated “an idle…
Please see this previous post for an introduction to this prayer series. Suggested Spiritual Practice: Silence Read this meditation on “Dying with Christ” by Father Richard Rohr and practice silent/contemplative prayer in whatever manner you prefer. Music Links: · “Were you there” from Three Mo’ Tenors · “Beneath the cross of Jesus” acapella · “Stay with me”…
*Please see this previous post for an introduction to this prayer series. Suggested Spiritual Practice: Traced Hand Prayer (For a description of this practice with a different scripture, and with a picture, see this previous post.) This practice is a prayerful reflection on Psalm 22:1-21. You will need a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.…
*Please see this previous post for an introduction to this prayer series. Suggested Spiritual Practice: Suggested Spiritual Practice: Daily Examen · Download the “Reimagining the Examen” app · Or find examen guidelines online Music Links: · “Bless the Lord my soul” (Taize) · “Awake my Soul” (Mumford and Sons) · “Say a Prayer” (from Memphis) Call to…
*Please see this previous post for an introduction to this prayer series. Suggested Spiritual Practice: Colored pencil prayer: Offering and Receiving Music Links: · Wait for the Lord (Taize) · You will be found (from Dear Evan Hansen) Call to Worship: (from Psalm 34) I will bless you, God, at all times; I will praise you with my…
Suggested Spiritual Practice: Plant something this week. Think about the gardener in the parable of the barren fig tree. What does it mean to be fruitful? What does it mean to tend beauty? Music Links: “O God, you are my God” (Choral arrangement) “Your love is better than life” (Acapella) “Come Ye” (Sweet Honey in…
Spacious Faith 