The texts for Sunday, December 2, 2012 (Advent 1C): Jeremiah 33:14–16; Psalm 25:1–10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13; and Luke 21:25–36 “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”- Luke 21:28 I suppose this is the power of hope. Everything prior to this sentence inContinueContinue reading “The Power of Hope”
Author Archives: jabbokdawn
I pledge allegiance…
The texts for Sunday, November 25, 2012 (Christ the King): Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:4b–8; and John 18:33–37 …So, in 1922, Pope Pious XI declared this Sunday, the last Sunday of the church year to be Christ the King Sunday. It is the youngest of the church’s festival days. The church addedContinueContinue reading “I pledge allegiance…”
A New and Living Way
The texts for Sunday, November 18, 2012 (Lectionary 33): Daniel 12:1–3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11–25; and Mark 13:1–8 … But, here the author of Hebrews takes that image of that curtain even further. And makes it not just about the fabric in the temple but talks about Jesus’ flesh as the curtain through which weContinueContinue reading “A New and Living Way”
Habit of the heart
The texts for Sunday, November 11, 2012 (Lectionary 32): 1 Kings 17:8–16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24–28; and Mark 12:38–44 Did you know that giving is a habit of the heart? It is not something that best comes from hearing a sermon about how you should give It is not something that best comes from guiltContinueContinue reading “Habit of the heart”
For All the Saints
The texts for Sunday, November 4, 2012 (All Saints’ Sunday): Isaiah 25:6–9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1–6; and John 11:32–44 During All Saints Sunday, everyone was given the opportunity throughout the service to light a candle for a saint that they remembered and were thinking about that day. Often, this time of remembrance is to specifically rememberContinueContinue reading “For All the Saints”
Trusting in Rulers
The texts for Sunday, November 11, 2012 (Lectionary 32): 1 Kings 17:8–16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24–28, and Mark 12:38–44. “Put not your trust in rulers, in mortals in whom there is no help. When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish.” – Psalm 146:3-4 Edit: I justContinueContinue reading “Trusting in Rulers”
Be still, then…
The texts for Sunday, October 28, 2012 (Reformation Sunday): Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19–28; and John 8:31–36. “Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46: 10 I have a confession. Perhaps this is horrible for aContinueContinue reading “Be still, then…”
Drawing Near to Jesus
The texts for Sunday, October 21, 2012 (Lectionary 29): Isaiah 53:4–12; Psalm 91:9–16; Hebrews 5:1–10; and Mark 10:35–45. “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know aboutContinueContinue reading “Drawing Near to Jesus”
Wanting More
The texts for Sunday, October 14, 2012 (Lectionary 28): Amos 5:6–7, 10–15; Psalm 90:12–17; Hebrews 4:12–16; and Mark 10:17–31. “Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But JesusContinueContinue reading “Wanting More”
Community and diversity
The texts for Sunday, October 7, 2012 (Lection 27): Genesis 2:18–24; Psalm 8; Hebrews 1:1–4; 2:5–12; and Mark 10:2–16 “Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” – Genesis 2: 18 First, a (partial) re-translation of this text. ItContinueContinue reading “Community and diversity”
Built on a Rock
Built on a rock, the church shall stand, even when steeples are falling; crumbled have spires in every land, bells still are chiming and calling— calling the young and old to rest, calling the souls of those distressed, longing for life everlasting. There are very few hymns that I dislike and I love most ofContinueContinue reading “Built on a Rock”
Many apologies
A quick note to all who are following me. I’m sorry that I have been posting irregularly of late, and I am sorry that I will be catching up this week—so you will see more than usual from me this week. I really do write a sermon and a reflection most weeks, but some weeksContinueContinue reading “Many apologies”
Unanswered Prayers
The texts for Sunday September 30, 2012 (Lection 26): Numbers 11:4–6, 10–16, 24–29; Psalm 19:7–14; James 5:13–20; and Mark 9:38–50 Man, I’d give my eye teeth to be able to pray like that. Maybe even my right hand. Maybe even an eye. …To be able to pray like Elijah and stop the heavens up for threeContinueContinue reading “Unanswered Prayers”
Welcoming the Child
The texts for Sunday, September 23,2012 (Lectionary 25): Jeremiah 11:18–20; Psalm 54; James 3:13—4:3; 4:7–8a; and Mark 9:30–37. “Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes notContinueContinue reading “Welcoming the Child”
Welcoming Curiosity
The texts for Sunday, September 23,2012 (Lectionary 25): Jeremiah 11:18–20; Psalm 54; James 3:13—4:3; 4:7–8a; and Mark 9:30–37. … So, we’ll start at the beginning of Mark’s narrative: Jesus tells the disciples in flat out, plain language: “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed,ContinueContinue reading “Welcoming Curiosity”
About that Cross…
The texts for Sunday September 16, 2012 (Lection 24): Isaiah 50:4–9a; Psalm 116:1–9; James 3:1–12; and Mark 8:27–38. To get to the empty tomb, you have to go through the cross. To get to the resurrection, you have to die… (sermon preached from outline, no transcript available) *** Featured image: (Modified) Man carryingContinueContinue reading “About that Cross…”
The Way of the Cross
The texts for Sunday September 16, 2012 (Lection 24): Isaiah 50:4–9a; Psalm 116:1–9; James 3:1–12; and Mark 8:27–38. “He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save theirContinueContinue reading “The Way of the Cross”
God is Enough
The texts for Sunday, September 9, 2012 (Lection 23): Isaiah 35:4–7a; Psalm 146; James 2:1–10[11–13] 14–17; and Mark 7:24–37 …I think it is interesting that Isaiah doesn’t say Do not fear because you know exactly what is going to happen. Instead, Isaiah says do not fear: Here is your God. That seems like quite aContinueContinue reading “God is Enough”
Jabbok Dawn 