Our bloggers are guiding our minds to the connections of the heart this week. Turning from weariness to gratitude, Kristin Berkey-Abbott notices a parallel between herself and the living things in the garden, “The milkweed is blooming this week–these are plants that have been eaten back to bare stalks several times since I bought them… Read More
Friday Prayer: The Wind of the Spirit
Holy One, I can’t always see the Wind of the Spirit, or know when you will come. Sometimes I doubt that I heard your Voice, and am slow to respond. And sometimes I do run refreshed by your call, joyful and freed, But God, When I look back and see the trail of the Spirit’s… Read More
RevGalBookPals: When Kids Ask Hard Questions
You know what’s helpful? A book that aggregates resources, thoughtful writing, and spiritual support. Such a book should occupy the shelf of pastors, youth leaders, confirmation mentors, and other spiritual guides who work with children of all ages. If you have a hole in your own shelf for such a resource, I commend to you: When… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: The Other Side of History (2 Samuel 5:1-5, 6:1-5)
Reading through the stories about David is like flipping through a photo album and watching a family member age over time. Here, we meet a mature David, a man of accomplishment but not yet the callous king who wreaks so much havoc to satisfy his own whims. This is no longer the impulsive boy who… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: The Days Are Surely Coming…
As a church professional, I get to hear some pretty terrible theology sometimes, from people who assume that I believe as they do. Can you relate? One of those things that I often hear is that the “Old Testament God” is vengeful while the “New Testament God” is forgiving. Passages like this week’s from Jeremiah… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Activism, Failure, and Jesus
Today, I want to tell you about the trip I took to the border a couple of months ago. Texas Impact sponsored a group of clergy to learn about the crisis on Texas’ southern border. We spent time learning about the nature of the crisis — causes and barriers to solutions. Then, we went across… Read More
Monday Prayer: pilgrim’s heart
This day I give thanks for the pilgrim’s way. For cobblestone streets that connect me to the footsteps of others: those who pray to walk, those for whom each step bears pain, those whose strides are punctuated by cadences of joy. For ancient churches with crumbling stone or plaster walls that hold the prayers of… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Sermon Needed
This is Daisy. She is our puppy dog. She really needs everyone to get their sermons written so that we can play with her, take her for a w-a-l-k, get the t-r-e-a-t-s from the magic drawer, and maybe, if she’s very good, go for a r-i-d-e in the car. Don’t disappoint Daisy! At our place,… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Gratitude and Grace
Grace and gratitude seem to be at the heart of the lectionary choices for this coming Sunday. But so do notions of who is in and who is out; what excludes us from community and what welcomes us in; who is an “alien,” and what does that mean in God’s economy of grace. I will… Read More
Monday Prayer
Precious Holy… Life throws us curve balls when we least expect them And sometime we package it all up… “Leave it for now… I’ll come back to That Thing later” For all the Things that are tucked away in a box for later We Pray For all the times when we want to jump in… Read More
