Holy One, Sometimes we see through the bare branches to your beauty and majesty reflected in nature. And sometimes we lose sight of your mighty forest because of the trees. Focus our hearts on the waiting world: who wars and does not make peace, who cries out and does not hear your answers, who looks… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: On Earth as it is in Heaven
After reading the kin-dom stories found in this week’s text around 7 times this morning I can’t help but wonder if Jesus is expounding on the “on earth as it is in heaven” portion of the prayer he teaches his disciples in Chapter 6…? The story about the “good” and the “bad” dwelling together sounds… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
God, on this day in the middle of the week It becomes clear that You are “both/and” Both merciful and just Both leading and at the same time granting free will Both the ground of our very being and transcendent over all In a time that can seem very complex Help us to know that… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Bright Star Lead us to love Lead us to promise Lead us to justice Lead us to hope Lead us to joy Love enfleshed Promise realized Justice unfettered Hope boundless Joy divine Bright Star Lead us through the wondrous dark night of possibility, liberation and radical Be-ing all that you have dreamed for us. We… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
God of all spaces, all boundaries, all borders: We look upon the lands that are yours. Many of our ancestors inappropriately deemed the territories theirs, forgetting that you built this world yourself and purposefully neglecting that others lived on the land. They’ve captured creation, hoarded it for their own self-interest, and excluded or oppressed many… Read More
The Pastoral Is Political: Be Alert this Advent
Yesterday we entered the season of Advent, a time in the church calendar where we are called to slow down and simplify our lives as we wait and prepare for the coming of Jesus, the One who came to us in the flesh as a refugee baby 2000 years ago and who will one day… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Holy One, The Psalmist cries out “Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” Protect our hearts as we work for justice and peace—that they not become hardened and bitter or so broken that we stop loving our neighbor, ourselves, and even You. Protect our minds as we take in all that is… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Be Love Out Loud
The text for this week found in Isaiah reminds me so much of the current political climate we find ourselves in today. Read it here This story is so familiar to what we are experiencing in this country with this seated president – that it makes me want to laugh and cry at the same… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Dear God, It is a new day. With it comes some significant wins and some deep losses. Many are waking up this morning with heavy hearts and tired feet…but their work has not been in vain. Many are waking up this morning disappointed by those who choose to vote from a place of hate and… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: A Rallying Cry (Joshua 24:1-15 [16-26])
I have participated in lots of rallies, marches, demonstrations, and protests over the years. This is what this week’s text reminds me of. Read it here. Like Joshua standing in front of the gathered people, moving stories are told. Lived experiences are shared. Rallying speeches are given. At every crowd gathering—call to actions are made… Read More
