On the cusp of the day we are poised to live into a world that beckons. Will today hold an opportunity for contemplation? Will a moment of poignant connection draw us more deeply into the divine heart? Perhaps young hands will clamor to lead us into playfulness, to being consumed by the world of a… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Who's Corban? Whose Corban? (Mark 7:1-23)
Once my children went to preschool and then on to kindergarten, they were very alert to hand washing. Now, of course, I taught them to wash their hands after the potty and before eating, etc., but school and teachers brought that lesson into full force. I do utterly and completely believe in hand washing, but… Read More
Monday Prayer: winners
We are all champions. In God’s economy there are no losers, no less-thans, or can’t-haves. When we drop our respective balls, or miss a connection, when we stop short of an intended destination or our goals are thwarted, we are still entwined in the warp and weft of divine love. When lackluster stares fail to… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Blessed Beyond Measure
Lunar New Year, Groundhog Day, Superbowl Sunday, Candlemas, first Sunday in Black History Month, Palindrome Sunday (02.02.2020)…. this weekend offers a plethora of opportunities for preaching themes and illustrations! If you are preaching from the Revised Common Lectionary, blessings abound. This week we hear Paul’s words to the church at Corinth about the way God’s… Read More
Monday Prayer: hold fast
I beseech you, heart of hearts, to defend us from the news cycle. In a season where we celebrate the recognition of your love come among us, we seek to be shielded from abuses of power in all its forms, and at every level of existence. Woe be to those who manipulate, lie, cheat, and… Read More
Friday Prayer: Sustain me, please
Dear God- It feels like another day- one more list of things to do, one more attempt to be mindful, a few more meals, reminders of what I haven’t accomplished. I hate to let any time go by without recognizing the beauty of the world, the possibilities of hope, the grace of moments. Unfortunately, though,… Read More
Friday Prayer: The Small Hours of the Soul
3 a.m. is an unholy hour. Not because God is absent, but because in the exhaustion of the soul, Idols creep in, hauling their own plinths behind them. The petty gods of anxiety and frustration fight over the floorspace of your mind While slinky griefs and self-doubt drape themselves cunningly in the most conspicuous places.… Read More
RevGalBookPals: The #MeToo Reckoning
Content Warning: sexual assault, abuse, rape, church abuse, I am Lutheran (ELCA). In Lutheran theological understanding, all of the commandments are interconnected, not only to our relationship with God, but to our relationship with other people. Commandments are most quickly broken because we (people) create false idols. These are not the golden calf of… Read More
Friday Prayer: Care of All Things
Creator of all things- I pray for the animals, the bugs, the creeping things, the critters that you made, love, and for which you care. I trust that each tripping hoof, whispering antenna, and minuscule stretch is known to you. I grieve that the missteps of human beings cause pain and suffering to our created… Read More
Saturday Prayer: Two Days Out
God, we are two days out from epiphany and my view is backside of a camel, the road is a blister-maker, the night-sky is cloudy, and I think I am going to make a bad decision. I know that being wise involves avoiding the bullies, in families, communities, schoolyards, prison yards, nursing homes, work places,… Read More
