*Originally published on RevGalBlog Pals, October 11, 2021 Well, Narrative Lectionary preaching friends, so much for Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth; we’re jumping right into 1 Samuel! This Sunday is our one chance to talk about the period of the judges before we find ourselves in the monarchy next week. It’s likely that…
This week’s readings (Narrative Lectionary, October 25, 2021) are 1 Kings 5:1-5 and 1 Kings 8:1-13. We’ve skipped over the entire reign of David (which, honestly, is fine by me) and are now reading about the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. Of course, it is not really Solomon’s Temple, it is God’s Temple. Though reading through…
Source of Life,Creative Force,Bearer of BurdensWho longs to gather us under your strong, feathery wings:We are tired of being the parent, the pastor,The figure-outer, the fixer.We grow weary of the weight we carry.We are exhausted from being the one in charge.Except, of course, we’re not in charge,Because if we were, things would not be such…
I know it’s a day late, but I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas-in-July. My gift to you is an updated blog site with NO ADS! (Those things are sooo annoying.) Enjoy! While Christmas still seems a long ways away, Advent will be here before we know it! And it’s only six weeks…
Christ have mercy.Hear our sighs too deep for words.Christ have mercy. In the wake of the shootings at Robb Elementary School, I was drawn back to this sermon I wrote over six years ago–after another mass shooting closer to my home. Christ have mercy. A sermon on Luke 13:1-9 from February 2016 Jesus, Jesus. Did…
The last time I saw my 19-year-old son*, he grumbled at me in the middle of the public library: “Just stop yelling at me all the time. I’m sick of it. I’m finally living my life how I want and you can’t control me!” For the record, I wasn’t yelling at him. I had told…
Many of you know that I have an Advent devotional, Expecting Emmanuel, coming out in September. It has felt rather awkward to be working on it during Lent, but as we approach Mother’s Day, the exploration of the women in Jesus’ genealogy and early life seems quite fitting. This weekend, I will be sending out…
Originally posted on Spacious Faith:
Crucifix at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona. Some were there when Jesus, bloody and bruised, climbed the hill to the Place of the Skull. The women, wailing along with the infants in their arms; Simon of Cyrene, forced to carry the cross beam that Jesus could no longer bear;…
Here is the man! Jesus, accused of being a criminal. Jesus, who threatens the religious establishment.Here is your King!The ruler of a Kingdom that is not from this world.The ruler who threatens the power of empire.Here is the man!Who witnesses to the truth.Who gives no answer.Here is your King!Jesus, son of Mary.Jesus, son of God.Jesus,…
My upcoming book, Expecting Emmanuel, is now available for pre-order! (You can order it from the publisher, MennoMedia, here, and from Amazon here.) To receive occasional emails about the status of the book, where/when I may be speaking about the book, a potential virtual Advent small group, and other opportunities, please sign up for the…
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