The Work of Dehumanization and the Gospel Challenge
We are constantly exposed in our culture to subtle and not so subtle messages meant to dehumanize others and to make us less empathic toward the suffering of others. These … Continue reading
Sidewalk Flowers: Doughnut Holes and Hippopotami
Reflections for Lent – Day 10 Okay, first of all, I can’t believe how easy it was to find pictures of hippos and doughnuts together. The internet is a strange … Continue reading
The Persistent God
The texts for Sunday, February 19, 2017: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; Psalm 119:33-40; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23; and Matthew 5:38-48 Well, this morning, we are sure confronted in the texts with an … Continue reading
A Voice Crying Out || Spoken Word
The texts for Sunday, December 7, 2014 (Advent 2B): Isaiah 40:1–11; Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13; 2 Peter 3:8–15a; and Mark 1:1–8. The audio of the sermon: Advent 2B Here is my first ever attempt at Spoken … Continue reading
God Tearing Open the Heavens
The texts for Sunday, November 30, 2014 (Advent 1B): Isaiah 64:1–9; Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19; 1 Corinthians 1:3–9; and Mark 13:24–37 Audio of sermon: Sermon Advent 1B … In the demonstrations and riots and commentaries in … Continue reading
We (Will) Rise
The texts for Sunday, November 10, 2013 (Lectionary 32): Job 19:23–27a; Psalm 17:1–9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–5, 13–17; and Luke 20:27–38. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand … Continue reading
Lamed Vavniks
The texts Sunday, July 28, 2013 (lectionary 17): Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:6-15 [16-19]; and Luke 11:1-13 “Then Abraham came near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? … Continue reading
The Use of Power
The texts for Sunday, June 16,2013 (Lectionary 11C): 2 Samuel 11:26—12:10; 12:13–15; Psalm 32; Galatians 2:15–21; and Luke 7:36—8:3 “Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
about: power
The texts for Sunday, March 25, 2012: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10; and John 12:20-33 The ability to dominate, to control, to destroy, to hurt, to kill is often perceived as power. As … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
Reflections of the Manger
The texts for Christmas Day, 2011: Isaiah 52:7–10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1–12, and John 1:1–14 Christmas morning—thanks to inspiration from Nadia Bolz-Weber, the House For All Sinners and Saints, and … Continue reading
Mary: The Child Bride
The texts for Sunday, December 18, 2011: 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16; Psalm 89:1–4, 19–26; Romans 16:25–27; and Luke 1:26–38. She might have been 12 or 13 or maybe 15 at … Continue reading
God’s Just Playfulness
The texts for November 20, 2011: Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24; Psalm 95:1–7a; Ephesians 1:15–23; and Matthew 25:31–46 “For the LORD is our God, and we are the people of God’s pasture and the sheep of … Continue reading
Context is Everything
The texts for Sunday, November 13, 2011: Zephaniah 1:7, 12–18; Psalm 90:1–12; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11; and Matthew 25:14–30 “The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; … Continue reading
The Heart of God’s Law
The texts for Sunday, October 23, 2011 are: Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18; Psalm 1; 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8; and Matthew 22:34–46 “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” … Continue reading
Ethics of Eating
It’s been almost a month ago now since I went off to a conference sponsored by ELCA World Hunger about the “Ethics of Eating.” At the conference, we talked about … Continue reading
Jabbok Dawn 