The texts for Sunday, October 16, 2011 were: Isaiah 45:1–7; Psalm 96:1–13; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10; and Matthew 22:15–22 ... In our mindset, in the way that we run our world, in our culture, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and George Soros are worth more than the homeless guy who sleeps underneath the interstate bridge or theContinue reading "What are you worth?"
God’s Two Hands
The texts for Sunday, October 16, 2011 are: Isaiah 45:1–7; Psalm 96:1–13; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10; and Matthew 22:15–22 "I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and fromContinue reading "God’s Two Hands"
The Passionate Host
The texts for Sunday, October 9, 2011 were: Isaiah 25:1–9; Psalm 23; Philippians 4:1–9; and Matthew 22:1–14 ... God has also prepared a banquet, according to Isaiah. A banquet to celebrate the end of old things and the beginning of new. A banquet that in itself is truly grace. Everyone is welcome there. There isContinue reading "The Passionate Host"
Terrifying Love
The texts for Sunday, October 9, 2011 are: Isaiah 25:1–9; Psalm 23; Philippians 4:1–9; and Matthew 22:1–14 "Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you. For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shadeContinue reading "Terrifying Love"
Praying for transformation
The texts for Sunday, October 2, 2011 were: Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:7-15; Philippians 3:4b-14; and Matthew 21:33-46. "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces;Continue reading "Praying for transformation"
Can you imagine, dream, hope, believe?
The texts for Sunday, September 25, 2011 are: Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32; Psalm 25:1–9; Philippians 2:1–13; and Matthew 21:23–32. "If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in fullContinue reading "Can you imagine, dream, hope, believe?"
Sunrise is coming…
The texts for Sunday, September 18, 2011 were: Jonah 3:10—4:11; Psalm 145:1–8; Philippians 1:21–30; and Matthew 20:1–16. "Sunrise is coming," she said. That was the only response I got when I asked if it was worth it. If it was worth working through the night. If it was worth waiting in the long, painful hours—waitingContinue reading "Sunrise is coming…"
Posing Questions
The texts for Sunday, September 11, 2011 (at least the ones that we're using) were: Jonah 3:1-4:11; Psalm 140; Ephesians 2:1-7 [8-10]; and Luke 10:25-37 This Sunday, we had a picnic, jointly held, between Immanuel, Salem, and Zion Lutheran. Pastor Joshua Rinas (the pastor at Zion) and I planned a service called: "Rising up: Remembering, Healing,Continue reading "Posing Questions"
A Continual Reminder…
The texts for Sunday, September 18, 2011 are: Jonah 3:10—4:11; Psalm 145:1–8; Philippians 1:21–30; and Matthew 20:1–16. "The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." - Psalm 145: 8 "for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfastContinue reading "A Continual Reminder…"
It’s not fair
The texts for Sunday, September 11, 2011 (at least the ones that we're using) are: Jonah 3:1-4:11; Psalm 140; Ephesians 2:1-7 [8-10]; and Luke 10:25-37 "But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still inContinue reading "It’s not fair"
The Body Broken
The texts for Sunday, September 4, 2011 are: Ezekiel 33:7–11; Psalm 119:33–40; Romans 13:8–14; and Matthew 18:15–20. ... No, we only encounter that God, that God embodied in Jesus when we live, serve, struggle in community. We only encounter that God embodied in Jesus when we look into the eyes of the person whom hasContinue reading "The Body Broken"
Broken Community
The texts for Sunday, September 4, 2011 are: Ezekiel 33:7–11; Psalm 119:33–40; Romans 13:8–14; and Matthew 18:15–20. "If another member of the church sins against you..." - Matthew 18:15a The hardest thing about Christian community is other people. So often, people think that Christian communities should be these really great places where everyone loves themContinue reading "Broken Community"
Taking a cue from Jeremiah
"Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail." - Jeremiah 15: 18 So, this is Jeremiah talking to God. Can you imagine calling God a deceitful brook? A liar? A failure? I'm not exactly sure that I canContinue reading "Taking a cue from Jeremiah"
A Call to Prayer
* The featured image: Christian Franciscan monks and nuns hold a candle procession on 21 December 2007 through an Armenian section in the Church of the Nativity as they walk from Saint Catherine's Church into the Nativity Church and then down into the 'Grotto,' where they pray before the silver star in a niche markingContinue reading "A Call to Prayer"
Barefoot before God
The texts for Sunday, August 7, 2011 are: 1 Kings 19:9–18; Psalm 85:8–13; Romans 10:5–15; and Matthew 14:22–33 Audio of sermon: Pentecost-L19A.2011 "... I can imagine not wanting to step out of that boat or to step out of that cave because I know that I would fail. because I know that I am tender-footedContinue reading "Barefoot before God"
A Divine Silence
The texts for Sunday, August 7, 2011 are: 1 Kings 19:9–18; Psalm 85:8–13; Romans 10:5–15; and Matthew 14:22–33 "... and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave."- 1Kings 19: 12b-13a As IContinue reading "A Divine Silence"
More than Enough
The texts for Sunday, July 31st are: Genesis 32:22–31; Psalm 17:1–7, 15; Romans 9:1–5; and Matthew 14:13–21. Audio of sermon (a first person account of the feeding of the 5000 by a female disciple of Jesus): Pentecost-L18A.2011 " Don't ask me how it happened. Don't ask me to explain how the bread multiplied or how weContinue reading "More than Enough"
Supersessionism sucks
The texts for Sunday, July 31st are: Genesis 32:22–31; Psalm 17:1–7, 15; Romans 9:1–5; and Matthew 14:13–21. "They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, whoContinue reading "Supersessionism sucks"
Jabbok Dawn 