abundant life – Jabbok Dawn

Believing

The texts for Sunday, September 14, 2014 (Holy Cross Day): Numbers 21:4b–9; Psalm 98:1–4; 1 Corinthians 1:18–24; and John 3:13–17 . “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” – John 3:16 What does belief mean? I think that we, inContinueContinue reading “Believing”

Tabitha

The texts for Sunday, April 21, 2013: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; and John 10:22-30. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me” – John 10: 25b I’m really drawn to the story of Tabitha in Acts. There is something about a story, I suppose, that brings faith to life, that puts flesh onContinueContinue reading “Tabitha”

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”

Life-giving?

The texts for Sunday, August 12, 2012 (Lectionary 19): 1 Kings 19:4–8; Psalm 34:1–8; Ephesians 4:25—5:2; and John 6:35, 41–51 “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O LORD, take away myContinueContinue reading “Life-giving?”

Vine-y God

The texts for Sunday, May 6, 2012: Acts 8:26–40; Psalm 22:25–31; 1 John 4:7–21; and John 15:1–8 …Vines are notorious for getting into places they don’t belong and become problems in gardens and yards and everywhere else I mean—if you’ve ever visited the southern United States you see what happens when a vine gets awayContinueContinue reading “Vine-y God”

Taking Up Your Cross

The texts for Sunday, March 4, 2012: Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16; Psalm 22:23–31; Romans 4:13–25; Mark 8:31–38. I confess that I cringe when I read this gospel text. I’ve rarely heard a piece of scripture that is more frequently misused than this passage. And worse— these words are said to come straight from Jesus and seemContinueContinue reading “Taking Up Your Cross”