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 God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel…” – 2 Samuel 12:7 At pericope study on Tuesday, I heard something about this story ofContinueContinue reading “The Use of Power”
Tag Archives: power
The Vulnerability of Incarnation
The text for this reflection/sermon for the first Wednesday service in Advent (December 5, 2012): Luke 22: 14-19 One of the things that may become obvious, or maybe not, looking at Mary’s swelling belly or the infant Jesus lying in a manger is that Christians aren’t much into the “omni-god.” The “omni-god” is what IContinueContinue reading “The Vulnerability of Incarnation”
Two Banquets
The texts for Sunday, July 15,2012 (Lectionary 15): Amos 7:7–15; Psalm 85:8–13; Ephesians 1:3–14; and Mark 6:14–29 “But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.”-Mark 6:21 This text about the beheading of John the Baptist is so full of horror,ContinueContinue reading “Two Banquets”
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 real strength. We certainly measure the strength of our country this way: the strength of our military might the strength it has to kill others,ContinueContinue reading “about: power”
The Power of God
The texts for Sunday, March 11, 2012 are: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22 “For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” -1 Corinthians 1:18-25 “It is said that [the Devil] deploys extreme and exquisite cunning to foil God’s power and goodness and toContinueContinue reading “The Power of God”
A little light, please
The texts for Christmas Day: Isaiah 52:7–10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1–12, and John 1:1–14 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did/does not overcome it.” – John 1:5 It’s amazing how even with the smallest amount of light, your eyes will adjust so that you can see. I’ve been on a couple ofContinueContinue reading “A little light, please”
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 the oldest. I think it is interesting that we have all these wonderings about Mary about the state of her virginity about the truth ofContinueContinue reading “Mary: The Child Bride”
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 God’s hand.” – Psalm 95: 7 I love this psalm. I think it is my favorite part of morning prayer, set beautifully to a singableContinueContinue reading “God’s Just Playfulness”
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 shadeContinueContinue reading “Terrifying Love”
Jabbok Dawn 