The Beatitudes are one of the best-known teachings of Jesus. On one hand I think that is a very good thing; obviously these are crucial statements. BUT the problem of being so familiar with these words is that they often fall on deaf ears. One of Kevin’s mom’s favorite anecdotes kind of gets at the […]
When to Break the Rules
So here’s the thing about God: God doesn’t come up with a list of rules for the fun of it. God is not a tyrant or task-master. He’s not some sort game-master dictating rules for his personal enjoyment. God desires to be with us and to invite us to partner with Him in building His […]
Nourishing Fruit
Was it just me or did anyone else feel some incredible discomfort in hearing the lectionary passages this morning? Psalm 52’s “Judgment on the Deceitful,” Amos’s condemning prophecy against those who give little and take much, the weighty responsibility of Colossians 1, the awkwardness of Martha complaining to Jesus in Luke 10? Sometimes it’s easier […]
The Call to Priesthood + Servanthood
For those of us who profess to be followers of Jesus, I believe our lectionary passages this morning call us to fill two roles in the Kingdom of God – those of Priest and Servant. “Hold on. Me?,” you say. Yes you. I’m pretty sure many of us would just assume ignore the passages that talk […]
Submitting to Suffering
God of suffering and glory, in Jesus Christ you reveal the way of life through the path of obedience. Change us today. Create new hearts in us, Hearts desiring to walk in in the obedience Of Jesus. Break all the things in us that need to be broken In order that we might live fully […]
The Invitation of Lent
God of wilderness and water, your Son was baptized and tempted as we are. Guide us through this season, that we may not avoid struggle, but open ourselves to blessing, through the cleansing depths of repentance and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen. source Explanation of Lent The season of Lent began just a […]
Eternal Preparedness
God of captives and pilgrims, you brought your people home from despair and gave them a land of freedom and plenty. Look in mercy on us your servants, deliver us from the prison of selfishness and sin, and bring us home to justice, sharing, and compassion, the realm you promised all the world in Jesus […]
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Homes of Hospitality
I’m going to suggest something crazy: what if God’s call for his people – for us – is to create lives and communities of hospitality? From the time of creation, through the covenant with Abraham, to the sending of the Spirit: all of these pivotal moments in the story of God’s People has had to […]
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Living Disciplined in the Dark
In a brief reading of Psalm 66 it’s easy to get distracted by the overarching theme of praise and we might start to think the spiritual journey is linear: a straight line of praising God. The psalmist declares that all the world ought to be offering constant adoration to God for the great deeds He […]
Jesus and the Woman at the Well
In her Lenten Reflections booklet, Ruth Haley Barton says, During Lent we are called to enter more intentionally into prayer, self-examination and repentance for the purpose of restoration and renewal. As painful as it is to be exposed at this level, awakening is evidence of God’s Grace. Using the story of Jesus and this Samaritan woman […]