One of my favorite Bible Stories is the story of King David dancing in the street naked. Buck. Naked. Our English translation, as usual, masks that little fact, but it’s there. He was SO HAPPY and SO GRATEFUL, he stripped down and let it go! If you don’t know the story, take a look, 2… Read More
Pastoral is Political: Representation Matters
Representation matters. We all know it. We seek to have a representative board in our churches and non-profits, a representative staff, we even have a committee on representation to make sure we follow the rules. It is no secret in the political world that minority groups such as women, black persons, indigenous persons, and people… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Use What You’ve Got
Which to choose… the part of the text about the mass protest, or the part of the text about touch… Lord, you do have a sense of humor. I’m sticking with chapter 11 for the majority of this post, but chapter 14 is one of my very favorite texts, in the end, I offer a… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Miracle of Miracles (Mark 1:21-45)
We’ve finally made it! The Gospel Readings are here! Okay, technically they were here last week but if you’re like me, your church did something special or you had a guest preacher or something. Our scriptures this week are challenging enough, but if you did do something special last week you may want to read… 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
The Pastoral is Political: Leadership is for Wimps
Here in Baltimore we have a mayoral scandal, you can read more about it here. This week another cabinet member left the Trump Administration. Our political system is broken. We are not the first society and I know we won’t be the last. As we approach Holy Week my thoughts turn to leadership. Not just… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Do Unto Others
Narrative Lectionary this week is the last in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. With so much packed into these last three weeks I have chosen to concentrate on one verse. Some say it sums up the Sermon on the Mount, others the whole of Christianity, and some more than that, what it means to be… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Home by Another Way
“I say there is no darkness but ignorance.” ― William Shakespeare, Twelfth Nightt Epiphany (meaning: reveal) is the day celebrated that the magi (Three kings or wise men) came to visit Jesus. If you want to know more about the Feast of Three Kings/Epiphany here’s an easy little article with some details! To read the full… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Such A Time
What a time we are living in… What a time to be alive. Esther was not born into royalty; in fact, it is a very complicated and difficult story. By the time Esther is introduced, or Hadassah, as she is know by her Jewish name. She is an orphan, raised by her Uncle or cousin,… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Requirements
This week’s lectionary is often a favorite of ours. “Ours” being progressive people of faith. Micah 5:2-5a, 6:6-8, mostly Micah 6:8 is one we turn to for guidance and comfort. He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to… Read More
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