Sometimes, it feels like all the world is against you. Everyone is cursing, hating, or abusing you. Nothing is working out the way you want, and all the powers are conspiring against you. Sometimes, this is really the case. When that happens, Jesus has difficult but important advice for us. Love those people anyway. The… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Banquets and Blessings (Matthew 14:13-33)
Yawn…another feeding story…another miracle story. Because versions of this story show up in the readings so often, the power of the story gets lost in our familiarity with it. Even the delightful details are familiar – Jesus inviting (commanding?) the disciples to share the work with him, the grass that evokes a new Eden, the… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God our Mother birthing new life through chaos God our Father building hope from the bleak night God our Sister comfort us in times of sorrow God our Brother guide us through the storms, calm water God of the Night source of all, hope prevails God of the Day show us the way, love as… Read More
Monday Prayer: blessings
Bestower of blessings, fling wide the portals of your love as we draw near to you this day. Bless those keeping watch over the tender moments of letting go, and those waiting with eagerness to cradle new life. Bless the studious child, the wandering thought, the imagination stretched out beyond what the horizon can hold.… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Calm in the Face of a National Emergency
Declaring something an emergency escalates it. I’ve learned that the best way to deal with the anxiety, bluster and stress of the situation is simply to be calm, quiet and composed. Read More
Sunday Prayer: Bliss & Blues
Blessed are you, O GOD, O Eternal Mercy, and woe to us who cannot welcome mercy in our hearts and in generosity to others. Blessed be the strangers who bear grace. Blessed are you, O GOD, O Delightful Joy, and woe to us who cannot dance & whirl without the highs of risk or consumption.… Read More
Saturday Prayer – Berries in Winter
For berries in winter, we praise your name, oh Creator of all things. For the miracle that is their rich color, taut skin, juice in each bite. For berries in winter, – and every gift that comes unexpectedly deliciously delightfully out of season – we praise your name, Oh Creator of all things. Amen. ________________________________________________________________… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: late edition
I’m late! It was my birthday yesterday and I got caught up with festivities and some crisis and this party slipped my mind. But here we are. I’m making homemade cinnamon rolls and hosting the party. There’s plenty of coffee too. So pull up a chair and let’s share our ideas for our sermons tomorrow.… Read More
Friday Festival: After Valentine’s Day
Whether you love Valentine’s Day or despise it, it echoes through our culture, and the feelings linger on even when the day is past. Our bloggers are looking past the flowers, and past the pressure to be a perfect couple, past the teddy bears and the emphasis on romantic love to something deeper. This day… Read More
Friday Prayer: Glow
Holy One, Sometimes we see through the bare branches to your beauty and majesty reflected in nature. And sometimes we lose sight of your mighty forest because of the trees. Focus our hearts on the waiting world: who wars and does not make peace, who cries out and does not hear your answers, who looks… Read More
