I live in Scotland, a country which is known for its rainfall, which means I have no idea what it means for there to be no rain for years. No rain over the weekend would be nice! However, a few weeks ago, I was given a wee taste of my own dependence on water flowing… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Foreign Widow Saves Prophet Edition (1 Kings 17:1-16[17-24])
This week, the Narrative Lectionary makes another big jump, all the way to 1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24]. The accompanying gospel text is Luke 4:24-26. Working Preacher resources for this week’s text is here. Have you been spending time connecting the dots between texts each week? The leaps across scripture have seemed big to me. I’ve been encouraging… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Stuck in the Middle with You (1 Kings 18:[17-19] 20-39)
Oh Elijah. What have we done? What have you done? And how are we supposed to preach about it? For a reading of this week’s text check out Working Preacher’s Commentary. And if you’re not listening to NL;DR with Dr. Amy Robertson and Dr. Robert Williamson then GET THEE TO THE PODCAST NOW! So where… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: A Kingdom Divided (1Kings 12:1-17;25-29)
The dream of a king reigning over all the tribes of Israel, each working in harmony had long since descended into a nightmare. Disputes between the tribes had never been resolved and, by the time Rehoboam ascends to the throne, civil war is raging. Discomtent had also been brewing over centralisation of worship – all… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party –
or… the unending cycle of preach, prepare, preach, prepare… This is the end of October – Sunday is November 1st – are you honouring the Saints? Following the Lectionary? Doing you own thing? Here- where I live, we will continue our journey through Holy Week that has been the RCL gospel for the past weeks;… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Change of Plans [2 Kings 22:1-10, [14-20]; 23:1-3]
God’s reward system is curious. The reward for faithfulness is never a shiny new Mercedes, or even a Prius, just the gift of deeper work to do. The gift exchange for following God turns out to be…more of God. Answering Josiah’s remorse over Israel’s faithlessness, God promises him a peaceful death, and to be spared… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Hope Edition
I don’t know about you, preachers, but I almost always can use a little extra hope. I spent Friday morning on a hike at a nearby state park that experienced a large-scale fire in 2011. It burned innumerable pine trees, which mostly still stand as bare trunks. But, in a testament to resiliency and resurrection,… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Unwrapped Gifts (Matthew 3:1-17)
It is hard to fathom Jesus as a grown man when just this past Sunday he was a baby being visited by Los Tres Reyes Magos. The Christian Church spends four weeks preparing for the birth of Jesus but he only gets to be an infant for two Sundays. Okay, I confess that maybe the fact… Read More
11th Hour Preacher: Holiday Haze
Hello Folks! Between Reformation Day (I’m Presbyterian), All Saints Day, Stewardship Season and Advent breathing down my neck, I am feeling a touch of the busyness of the season. Then, as Christmas encroaches, I picture thanksgiving saying “I’m reclaiming my time” in a clear voice, and I try to give each holy day its time. And… Read More
Narrative Lectionary (1 Kings 19:1-18)
This week’s text and commentary from Working Preacher can be found here. Where is God? In the busy cacophony of the day – or the quiet stillness of the night? In the clamour of the elements – or the hush in the midst of the storm? Elijah, caught up in what might be described as… Read More
