The other day as I was clicking around online, I came across a blog written by a fellow Mennonite pastor. I liked what she had to say in her most recent entry, so clicked on the little button near the top of my screen that said “Follow this Blog.” I follow several blogs and some…
Moses has a thousand reasons to stay right there with the sheep, not the least of which is the fact that, as far as he knows, Pharaoh still wants him dead. But with or without a warrant hanging over our heads, speaking truth to power is hard. It’s not something most people do readily. It’s…
Some of you may find this hard to believe, but I enjoy being in conversation with conservative Mennonites (at least the ones who don’t condemn me to hell as they bludgeon me with Leviticus). When I find the right dialog partners–or they find me–and when I listen well and open myself to the Holy Spirit,…
For those following the Lectionary, here is a call to worship for this Sunday inspired by the Exodus reading: In this act of worshipwe lay down our fears;we refuse our oppressors;we deny the forces of death.In this act of worshipwe know God’s protection;we receive Divine power;we are embraced by the Giver of life.Let us worship…
Reflection on Exodus 2:1-10 {This reflection is excerpted from a longer sermon that I preached on June 22, 2014} {You might also be interested in this reflection I wrote for Practicing Families today–connecting the story of Moses with racial violence and oppression in our own time; also, this call to worship.} In Sunday School, this story of…
One more brown bodyshotand I think of all the lessons I nevertaughtmy son likeavoid the police at all costsdress niceand don’t wear red or blue or any color that they might think means you’re in a gangkeep your hands at your sides in the storeso they know you’re not stealingor packingor preparing to throw a…
Last year my teenage son got in trouble for playing Pokemon with a friend before school instead of attending a meeting he was supposed to be at. He informed me that it was my fault he was playing Pokemon because I would not let him be in Pokemon club. So he had to play before…
With a little bit of John 1 thrown in for good measure: Call to Worship (Inspired by this lovely reading from Katherine Hawker.) The word of God came to Jonah The word of God comes to us: Go Despite your fears Speak the truth of God Love your neighbor and you enemy Forgive as…
I commend to you all a letter written by Gordon Oyer to the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board in response to their recent report. Gordon gives a respectful and insightful critique of the board’s refusal to recognize the credentials of Theda Good. The conclusion of his letter states: MC USA documents do contain space within…
I was reading through some of my old worship liturgies this morning and came across this prayer of confession. I wrote it with this passage from Deuteronomy 30 in mind: This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.…
Spacious Faith 