As we cry out for the end to violence all around us May we seek to address the violence within us As we demand justice from leaders and systems May we ensure that our actions are just As we declare love as the answser May we seek to ground our work and lives in love… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
God, sometimes it is hard to pray Perhaps that’s why those earlier followers asked Jesus to teach them to pray Perhaps that’s why Jesus laid it out: Our Creator God, who is above all things We call on your name God and ask that you bring your full power into this moment, into our very… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Source of Love
It’s the infamous LOVE text! Read it (maybe for the umpteenth time) here. It is not unfamiliar. This text is often used in wedding and union ceremonies; sometimes ordinations and installations, too. In the Working Preacher Commentary, you can find a historical and contextual glimpse into what might have prompted the Apostle Paul to write these… Read More
Friday Prayer: When We See the Lord
Oh, Lord, how do we see you and minister to you? When you do not hoard resources, but make sure the enough that exists is shared- you minister to me. When you spoke the truth about what is and remained calm about what could be- you minister to me. When you prepare food for those… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Come to the Water
I love this passage (John 4:5-42) so much, it is hard to approach it with anything resembling even-handedness. The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well was the appointed gospel lesson for my first-ever preaching experience (Lent 3A, 1990). And thanks to the chaplain who craftily invited me to give a homily… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Code-Switching (Mark 4:1-34)
The parables found in Mark 4:1-34 are familiar, but I must admit that I got a bit annoyed when I read the text this time. Why the word games? Why do some get to understand and others don’t? Given the oh, so many political and religious pundits, media outlets that have been co-opted by corporate… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Miracle of Miracles (Mark 1:21-45)
We’ve finally made it! The Gospel Readings are here! Okay, technically they were here last week but if you’re like me, your church did something special or you had a guest preacher or something. Our scriptures this week are challenging enough, but if you did do something special last week you may want to read… Read More
Friday Prayer
The Reverend Julia Seymour serves Big Timber Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Big Timber, MT. She blogs at lutheranjulia.blogspot.com and readsallthethings.com. She contributed to There’s A Woman in the Pulpit and is President of the board of RevGalBlogPals, Inc. RevGalBlogPals encourages you to share our blog posts via email or social media. We do not grant permission to cut-and-paste prayers… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
It’s the middle of the week, in the middle of summer and we are in the middle of an election season. Lead us, O God… Grant us wisdom to know when to step up and when to step back Give us the courage to speak out when necessary and to listen when required Pour out Your… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Called to Serve and Protect
Children in cages, concentration camps, and jails – hungry, abused and scared as hell. Young people shackled by and to the (in)justice system via electronic monitoring and/or criminal records that hold them back like the proverbial ball and chain. Families grieving yet another child lost to senseless gun violence – their gifts, dreams, and promise… Read More
