How is it that my Lord can love me from the depths of hell to the heights of heaven? How has it come to pass that I am the beloved of the Sovereign of angels, the Commander of the dawn? Yet there is the sun — a sign in the east — greeting me across… Read More
Saturday Prayer: O tender Root
O Tender Root of Jesse, Promised to us, Abiding with us, Bloom in our dry deserts of hearts, Grow in our distracted, busy lives. Surprise us with your joy and love. Encourage us with your hope and peace. We are weary… We wander away… Gather us in Be born in us today O come to… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: The Waiting Is Ending
And so we come, once again, to Advent 4. We light 4 candles. Will you sing a carol or 2 or stick with Advent hymns only? Do you have a pageant or a cantata and a brief reflection? Or is it a week for a full sermom? If you are preaching, are you with Elizabeth… Read More
Friday Festival: Conversations with friends
Here at the Manse, we are counting down the days to Christmas and checking the weather forecast. The wind has been a little too high for the Christmas dragon with moving wings and his companion, so we have piles of fabric in our yard. There’s always something wistful about these few days, particularly in the… Read More
RCL: Still Waiting
By now, hopefully your stockings are hung by the chimney with care, your halls have been decked (with boughs of holly or your decoration of choice), and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go! But we’re not there yet. The season of waiting and anticipation continues. What will be synonymous with… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Never Assume [Luke 1:5-13, [14-25] 57-80]
The story of the birth of John the Baptist is the story of the ordinary turned upside down, and made extraordinary. Every common assumption is reversed, through the power of God. Everyone in the story is wrong about what they expect to happen. God is in the reversal business all through Advent and Christmas, changing… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Joy
Lead us to the water, O Spirit, calm in a pool or flowing in a river or pounding down a waterfall. Lead us to the water where we can bathe, splash, leap and laugh, rinse and relax, soak for hours, until violence is washed clean from our skin and defensiveness is eased from our tense… Read More
Saturday Prayer: Just around the corner
Just around the corner, Holy One, Coming soon. Before I know it, While I am longing, Wondering and wandering, While I am looking to your Promised One, I see peeps of sunshine, Ribbons of laughter, and streams of Joy!!! As the World waits, As my heart sings, Just around the corner, Holy One, There is… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Advent 3
According to my calculations, Advent is more than halfway over. How are we feeling? I’m guessing that you might feel a bit like I do, so please, take a deep breath. Repeat. And one more time. Ok. Do that several times today. It will help. What’s happening for you this Third Sunday of Advent? Choir… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Reparations
What needs to be repaired in the world? What restoration is longed for by the injured and heartbroken? Here is your God, coming with vengeance to demand reparations and to save you. (Isaiah 35:4) What healing is needed in your community? What aches and pains await resolve in your own life? The Mighty One scatters… Read More
