Life is not tried it is merely survived if you’re standing outside the fire. (Garth Brooks, “Standing Outside the Fire”) I’m cruising on the RevGalBlogPals’ Big Event 12.0, and the Rev. Angie Shannon — making use of Garth Brooks’ lyrics — reminded the group in opening worship that the fire (the Fire) does not change… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Growing Up
Holy and Beloved, our Wisdom and our Peace, we add our praise to the song of heaven and earth. You are good and glorious! Holy and Beloved, our Wisdom and our Peace, we seek after you in word and deed, in breath and fellowship. You are both siren and satisfaction! Holy and Beloved, our Wisdom… Read More
Advent 4: Sunday Prayer
O Present and Still Coming Wisdom, contrary to the lessons of this world: From the littlest ones teach us love, and from the meekest show us majesty. In the ire of self-righteousness reveal human foolishness, and in the heartbeat of wealth lay plain hopelessness. To the most outcast announce the greatest joy, and for the… Read More
Advent 3: Sunday Prayer
Sing aloud, o daughters! Shout with joy, o children! The peril against you is gone. Yet again and again, O God, we have picked it back up: the peril of fear, the peril of greed, the peril of jealousy, the peril of nationalism, the peril of self-abasement. Again and again we pray, O God: show… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Joy!
JOY: Sing aloud! Do not be afraid! Be welcomed home! (Zephaniah 3:14-20) JOY: Draw water! Shout to the whole world! Call on God’s name! (Isaiah 12:2-6) JOY: Rejoice always! Do not worry! Give thanks! (Philippians 4:4-7) JOY: Flee from wrath! Do not hoard! Be cleared of chaff! (Luke 3:7-18) The exhortations of John the Baptist… Read More
Advent 2: Sunday Prayer
Not to have peace, but to be peace; Not to endure the fire, but to live with fire; Not to be called prophets, but to catch the vision; Not to be complete, but to be preparing; This is our Advent prayer. Rachel G. Hackenberg‘s book with co-author Martha Spong, Denial Is My Spiritual Practice (and… Read More
Advent 1: Sunday Prayer
The day will surely come. Steadfast God, hold us in the meantime that we might not fear the long night. The time will surely arrive. Faithful God, give us signs while we wait until every speck of star and dust is a revelation. The promise will surely be fulfilled. Eternal God, plant the seeds within… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: What Large Teeth You Have!
Whose power do we adore? Whose authority do we fear? Whose aggravation, whose violence, whose ridicule causes us to cower? Whose steadfastness do we trust? The stones of a temple? The teeth of a wolf? The prayers of a priest? The comments of family? In this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary texts, the stones of the… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Steal Away
At the last, O God, promise that sacrifice will never again be demanded. At the last, O God, promise that our sisters and siblings and brothers will not need to compromise their imago dei for security. At the last, O God, promise that thunder will claim us and oust evil, that bread and breath will… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Psalm 34
I will bless the LORD at all times, all times, by day and night, when my tears pour and my heart pounds, when it seems I have triumphed and when it seems I might die. Always and forever, Your grace will be my prayer and Your face will be my deliverance. When I cry and… Read More
