February, God. February. February teaches us – yet again – your surprises. The shortest month feels like the longest, shaming us when the Christmas box is still out, while we plan for Lent. The shortest month feels like the longest, God, testing our hope, in this in-between time. We would shorten the strange weather, and… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Healer of all, around the globe, so many of our siblings are sick, lying in hospitals, or coughing at home, waiting for symptoms to develop or to ease working through an ache in body or spirit, living with pain that won’t quit its harassment. Come, we ask, with your healing might, easing the aching of… Read More
Friday Festival: Artistic Ventures
Lately, I’ve been spending more time on my artwork, specifically my woodburning. I tend to give myself a tough time when allocating more time on this artwork instead of my writing. But after long days at the church, this type of creation feeds my soul as I feel as if I’m using another part of… Read More
As my body aches today, God, I pray for my neighbors who must work with fevers and stomach bugs, and friends who wonder how they will attain their paycheck since their children got sick. When will we value the cost of rest? Will we ever stand for the ones without healthcare? Even in my moments… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of the Smiles and Eye Rolls- Oh we’ve had “a day” Life seemed a bit off, And our bodies ached a little too much. Our to-do list was left unfinished, And the phone call we were to make… well… it wasn’t. The blog post was completed later than expected, And the visit must wait… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Pigs and Prejudice (Mark 5:1-20)
Having a favorite Bible passage is as ill-advised as having a favorite child, but if I did have a favorite, this intriguing story would be a strong contender. It has everything: conflict, healing, payback, revelation, and even traveling pigs. Read the scripture here. Read the Working Preacher commentary. The story unfolds like a movie, with… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of Greys and Brightness, In this post Christmas season, As the lights have been taken down And clouds have filtered in, The funk of January has permeated our souls. Whether the days are cold and dreary north of the Equator Or the days are arid and scorching to the south, Our balance seems off.… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of all Creation- As the world wobbled and rumbled this morning in Puerto Rico, We send our prayers and our love to the ones now seeing a shattered world. As electricity and water has ceased, We pray that they can find the resources they need. May their earthquakes end, And may their trauma heal.… Read More
RCL: Origin Stories
In her final, beautiful book, the late, luminous Rachel Held Evans wrote, The role of origin stories, both in the ancient Near Eastern culture from which the Old Testament emerged and at that familiar kitchen table where you first learned how your grandparents met, is to enlighten the present by recalling the past. Origin stories… Read More
Friday Festival: The Other Side of Christmas
Like every other pastor, I struggle with the Christmas Eve sermon. Having spent the year with church members standing by a graveside, or sitting in a claustrophobic hospital consult room, or handing out tissues when there are no words, I wonder what to say when I look into their eyes on Christmas Eve. The good… Read More
