I don’t want a double portion of anyone’s spirit. Nor do I want to take up a mantle left behind by a prophet. On the other hand, I don’t want to be looking back after I’ve put my hand to the plough. This business of being a disciple has never been easy. At no point… Read More
RCL: From Death to Life
This was originally posted at Write Out of Left Field Those little purple faces poking up next to the sidewalk on my way out of church on Sunday were nearly my undoing. Not exactly the color purple in a field, but I noticed. I saw them innocently reaching for the sun, the first of spring… Read More
RCL: Must be Thomas
It’s the first Sunday after Easter, so it must be time for Thomas. Of course, there are other options if Thomas doesn’t have appeal for you. There’s Peter defending his right, and the rights of the other apostles to preach Jesus. There are the Psalms full of praise and thanksgiving. There’s the Alpha and Omega… Read More
RCL: The Prodigal Edition
With suicide in the U.S. headlines once again in recent days, I cannot help but hear messages of hope and extravagant love in the texts this week. There is comfort and there is challenge in these passages. What are we willing to risk in order to share hope and healing to those most vulnerable among… Read More
RCL: The Dazzling Edition
Moses’ shining face, Paul’s proclamation of transformation from glory to glory, and dazzling Jesus on a mountain top. Must be Transfiguration Sunday once again. Who doesn’t need a dose of dazzle to launch us into Lent? These are all odd texts, but there is hope and power embedded in them just waiting to come alive… Read More
Thursday Prayer on Valentine’s Day
God of all hearts, be with us today as we seek to bring Love into the world. From the slow heart beats of morning to the rapid pulse of running late for the next thing, remind us that it is you who gives life and breath, and you who makes hope and love possible. Teach… Read More
RCL: Behavior Modification Edition
Do you ever get discouraged by human behavior? I do, often. I sometimes find even my own behavior disheartening. We know what is right and good, yet we persist in doing things that are harmful to ourselves, to our neighbors, or to the planet. The other day, after reading a particularly horrid news article, I… Read More
RCL: Get Dressed and Go!
For most of the world, Christmas is over. For a few of us we are counting down the twelve days of Christmas. Many of the people who will gather for worship on Sunday have packed up their Christmas decorations and have moved on to New Year’s plans and resolutions. Yet, on the only Sunday in… Read More
RCL: Hope, Even While the Seas Roar
Over the years, I have grown to love Advent. In the early years of my ministry, I didn’t exactly love the season. It was too busy, too demanding, too conflicted. It was hard to find a message of hope while ignoring the whole idea of the Second Coming. I had tangled up my unfortunate experiences… Read More
RCL: May Our Eyes be Opened
I was 10 when I first needed glasses. I was a little bit nearsighted, nothing unusual or significant. That is, until I first wore my glasses in school. Then I was teased relentlessly. I learned to only put on my glasses for reading the blackboard or watching a movie. That was good for a couple… Read More
