Reading through the stories about David is like flipping through a photo album and watching a family member age over time. Here, we meet a mature David, a man of accomplishment but not yet the callous king who wreaks so much havoc to satisfy his own whims. This is no longer the impulsive boy who… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: The Days Are Surely Coming…
As a church professional, I get to hear some pretty terrible theology sometimes, from people who assume that I believe as they do. Can you relate? One of those things that I often hear is that the “Old Testament God” is vengeful while the “New Testament God” is forgiving. Passages like this week’s from Jeremiah… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of the broken broken by shame hidden deep and ignored for years which nonetheless affected everything turned joy to skepticism turned hope to caution turned love to fear turned anger to depression turned abuse to self blame blame. God of the broken break open now the lies and myths that have kept me silent,… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Activism, Failure, and Jesus
Today, I want to tell you about the trip I took to the border a couple of months ago. Texas Impact sponsored a group of clergy to learn about the crisis on Texas’ southern border. We spent time learning about the nature of the crisis — causes and barriers to solutions. Then, we went across… Read More
Monday Prayer: pilgrim’s heart
This day I give thanks for the pilgrim’s way. For cobblestone streets that connect me to the footsteps of others: those who pray to walk, those for whom each step bears pain, those whose strides are punctuated by cadences of joy. For ancient churches with crumbling stone or plaster walls that hold the prayers of… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Send Word
Tell the stars to send word, O Creator,of your faithfulness to every generation,of your trustworthiness through the long night of injustice.Tell the children to send word, O Love,of your accompaniment in places of exile,of your blessed increase even in the presence of enemies.Tell the prophets to send word, O Hope,of your oasis in the desert… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Sermon Needed
This is Daisy. She is our puppy dog. She really needs everyone to get their sermons written so that we can play with her, take her for a w-a-l-k, get the t-r-e-a-t-s from the magic drawer, and maybe, if she’s very good, go for a r-i-d-e in the car. Don’t disappoint Daisy! At our place,… Read More
Friday Prayer: Waiting
Holy One, There’s nothing I hate more than waiting… Waiting for news. Waiting for answers. Waiting for direction. Waiting for change. Waiting for a result. Waiting for a birth (or a death). I seek your guidance. I pray. I listen to wisdom. There’s not a “yes”… There’s not a “no”… There’s not even a gentle… Read More
Thursday Prayer: for laughter
For the gift of laughter: we give you joyful thanks and praise. For the laughter of friends who remember the stories and listen with laughter all the same; who see the hilarious in the tribulations; who enlarge our worlds with their generous laughter: we give you joyful thanks and praise. For the laughter that makes… Read More
Wits’ Ends Day: Conspiracy Theories
Conspiracy theories are quite popular right now—everyone thinks that someone else is up to something secret and nefarious. And don’t be fooled; these conspiracies are not limited to the political realm. There are plenty of conspiracies happening in our own congregations. Here are just a few conspiracies I’m inclined to believe in: Bigfoot may be… Read More
