Prayer for the Living of These Days
The task and challenge of putting words to the rhythm of our corporate life is an honor and a privilege. And sometimes, many times this year, in fact, that task is so difficult. Sundays come with a...
View ArticleWho Do You Love?
Who Do You Love? Matthew 6:19-34 I have a friend who is one of those guys who intentionally lives his life care-free and unfettered. At age 35, he is not married; he has no children. Though he’s very...
View ArticleLive As If You Believe
Live As If You Believe 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Theologian Frederick Beuchner writes: “In the silence of a midwinter dusk there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you...
View ArticleLet There be Peace on Earth?
Let There Be Peace on Earth? Philippians 1:3-11 Advent 2 “Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the first responders in San Bernardino.” “Thoughts and prayers are with #SanBernardino.”...
View ArticleWhat Can I Bring Him?
What Can I Bring Him? Hebrews 10:5-10 Welcome to the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of love. These past weeks we have been living in the darkness and waiting for the light, working to make room...
View ArticleJesus Offends Me
Jesus Offends Me Luke 4:16-30 Today we find ourselves on the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, a time in the liturgical year that takes us from the celebration of Christ’s birth right up to the...
View ArticleShine, Jesus, Shine
Shine, Jesus, Shine Luke 9:28-36 Today we’re at the fifth Sunday following the Epiphany, this little season of the church year that begins with the Magi following one star in dark sky, leads us through...
View ArticleParched
Parched Psalm 63:1-8, Isaiah 55:1-9 How many of you have ever been to Hawaii? If you have, you will know that homes in Hawaii are generally unairconditioned. The reason for this is that usually there...
View ArticleCan I Admit I’m Wrong?
Can I Admit I’m Wrong? Luke 13:1-9 Today we find ourselves in the third Sunday of Lent, a period of 40 days leading up to Easter in which we are invited on a journey with Jesus, a journey of...
View ArticleCan I Forgive?
Can I Forgive? Luke 15:11-32 As some of you may know, I am the eldest of five children. One of the best things about being a kid in a family with many siblings is that, if one were to, say, break a...
View ArticleGetting Political in the Pulpit
The palms waved us into Holy Week just last Sunday and we’re already well along into the events of this week, the final chapter of Jesus’ life. Since Christmas we’ve been hearing again stories of the...
View ArticleChoices: A Meditation on John 13:1-17
I am two years away from the completion of my term of service as mother to teenagers. Two years. I have learned a lot in this decade and a half of serving on the frontlines, possibly the most...
View ArticleStopped in Our Tracks
The damp chill of the night air began to burn off as the sky lightened and the sun climbed over the edges of the lake. As the temperature rose, the smell of fish and water became sharper, the sound of...
View ArticleThe Sermon I Didn’t Preach
In my free time I’ve recently begun watching the PBS series Grantchester, a television show about a village priest who solves murders in his free time. Since my free time doesn’t seem to be as...
View ArticleChosen
1 Peter 2:1-9; 16 Just a few weeks ago during lunch on a senior staff retreat, I overheard my colleagues talking about how they intended to spend a few free afternoon hours. Some planned to nap, a few...
View ArticleObey and Submit
1 Peter 2:13-30; 3:1-9 We find ourselves this morning grappling with a difficult text overlaid with so many mixed emotions carried into this sanctuary by each one of us after such a week. We’re...
View ArticleWhen God Gets Political: Interrupted
When God Gets Political: Interrupted Amos 7:1-17 I met a new friend the other day, who, upon finding out I was a pastor, asked me a question framed with a story. “What should pastors be saying about...
View ArticleWhen God Gets Political: Enough
Amos 8:1-12 This past week I had the opportunity to visit harambee. Harambee is the morning assembly when everyone gathers to start the day at Freedom School, and each day there’s a different visitor...
View ArticleWhen God Gets Political: Next
Hosea 1:2-10 For the last few weeks we’ve been talking about what happens with God gets political. We’re doing that because this month we’re being bombarded with political messages here in America: so...
View ArticleQuit Your Job
Luke 12:32-40 “It’s time to quit your job and start living the life you’ve always dreamed of!” I heard someone say that on an advertisement this week and it caught my attention. Why? Well, I’m...
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