God, I am grateful,not for the adviceof those who built houses on rock,but for one floating boardof someone’s sand-disasterI was able to grab,anonymous at a meeting. I am grateful,not for the good soil gardenwith rabbit-ground-hog-proof fence,but the unexpected beautyof tulip bulbs rising fromfall leaves, dog poop and thorns. I am grateful, not just for samaritans,but… Read More
Saturday Prayer, July 3, 2021
Prayer of the Chukar God, my grand-feathered onescame from Turkey,but home nests soon were nativein Idaho, some in Hawai’i. I was born in a box of chickssent to a gun range in New England,and I ran away (that’s what we do, run,for we cannot fly very fast.)We are easy for new shooters. I am grateful… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Have You Understood?
When people around the world suddenly found themselves stuck at home this spring, my social media feeds mysteriously began filling with images of homemade bread. Are you one of the people who jumped on the sourdough-baking bandwagon while in quarantine? If so, you’ve got a great tangible example for this week’s sermon! “The kingdom of… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Unexpected Points of Connection
On this Sunday in which the northern hemisphere is in deep summer, images of new life and growth show up in our lectionary offerings. In our journey through Genesis, Jacob is on a road trip, fleeing the furious twin from whom he finagled a birthright and stole a blessing. With a stone for a pillow,… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Saltiness
My flavor is lost and my spirit is faint within me, but o my God, surely this salt of humanity can still be scattered on the ground to melt the ice we fear. My light is dim and my flesh is so very weary, but o my God, surely this lowly lamp can still hold… 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
RCL: Faith Journeys
Our four texts take us on four different journeys of faith: The journey of God’s covenant people, imaged as the beloved child of God their mother…Hosea 11:1-11. The journey of those God gathers in from the four directions, people who are in distress, hungry and thirsty and in need of a habitable home…Psalm 107:1-9, 43.… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Notifications
O God, We turn toward home gingerly. We look ourselves in the eye and ponder our crimes of heart and mind and wallet and appetite. Sometimes the way is hard to find. Dear God, We wait for your arrival. We forgot to bring our chargers; how will we know you are here without our notifications?… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Invitations (Matthew 22:1-14)
Decisions, decisions, decisions…the other day I RSVP’d for a wedding, and I was invited to choose my meal from these options: gluten-free, nut-free, vegetarian and “I’ll eat anything.” The hosts are working hard to show hospitality to all of their guests. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. They have to make decisions about… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Business Practices
I’ve heard this parable (here) preached and taught as an economic justice story. And, it is. I’ve also heard it shared in relation to God’s grace, abundance, and generosity. And, it is. But, when I read it this time something new happened for me. Images of an owner whose business practice is to center persons… Read More
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