God, we can’t even remember what day it is These times still seem so surreal A pandemic Constant political unrest A Black man shot down while jogging Babies in cages Yet we still sing, “It is well with my soul…” Willing it. Believing it. Working to make it so. But how can it be? How… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Permission to Lament (Ruth 1:1-17)
Lament has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I carry it deep within my heart and right on the edge from where my tears pool. I feel it in my spirit, in the tightness of all of my muscles and within the stiffness of my too often clenched jaw. Maybe it’s because I… Read More
Friday Prayer: Poison Ivy
Oh Lord, I know what I have done. As soon as my words left my lips, I knew. I responded out of hurt. I responded out of my woundedness. I responded out of defensiveness. I was not loving. I was angry – Correction!! I am still angry! Forgive me for my selfishness, my lack of… Read More
Friday Prayer: Flattened
Holy One, This mess we’re in… I know it’s one of our own making, and we’ve managed to mess up your Creation rather completely… But please, Mighty One, save us from ourselves! This stench we smell… I know we have chosen to roll around in the biggest pile of (um) “fertilizer” we can find… But… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Forgiveness
Like bulky orange barrels along a construction zone, there are red flags and caution tape that catch my attention as I read this week’s Revised Common Lectionary texts: 1. Forgiveness (Genesis 50:15-21 and Matthew 18:21-35) is a theme that can tempt us preachers toward unhelpful generalizations about injury and reparation. Caution: Check whether your definition of forgiveness,… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary – Drunk with New Wine Edition
We human beings are uncomfortable with those who stand out. Sure, we may like an actor or musician to be prominent on the stage or screen, but we like most people to fit in. In Numbers 11:24-30, Eldad and Medad are prophesying, but not at the tent of the meeting where they’re expected – they’re… Read More
RCL: Climbing Trees and Seeing Jesus
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen an actual Sycamore tree or that I’d recognize one growing outside my front door. However, I am quite certain they are everywhere and full of people who are short on a variety of things. Zacchaeus isn’t the only one who engages in silly, if not ridiculous, activities in… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Forgive us our speed-through
Heavenly Parent, When we use the words Jesus taught us, as handed down over generations, we think of you as far away, in a place we cannot see, but can only imagine. We acknowledge that your name is “hallowed,” that it is special beyond human measure and whole in ways we cannot be, worthy of our… Read More
Friday Prayer: Oh, Bother
Christ- I want to rail against the idea of forgiving seventy times seven… whatever that amounts to, but the truth is that I have not yet managed to fully forgive even seven times. I haven’t forgiven the wounds or the one who inflicted them. I haven’t forgiven the words that I pretended to shrug off, but… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: The Male Gaze is Unbiblical
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,… Read More
