Thirsty Voices: Gushing God
But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" —Exodus 17:3 “Is God among us or…
Happy “Blankety-Blank” New Year
I must confess that I have been disinclined to do any writing, preaching, worrying, considering, or resolving on the matter of the New Year. Perhaps you too, given the information overload with which we live these days, have reached a…
Tony, Tony Turn Around
“Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays…
Stop and Wonder
And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched…
Sing (and Dance) a New Song—In Ordinary Time
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless God’s name; tell of God’s salvation from day to day. —Psalm 96:1-2 Welcome to Ordinary Time! That sounds almost laughable…
Another Explosion: Joy to the World
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise God in the heights! Praise God, all you angels of God; praise God, all you host of heaven! Praise God, you sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars!…
Resurrection: Creating Community, Creating Faith, Creating Community
Thomas...was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the…
Palms, Passion and Progressives
…he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. –Luke 19:28b I find Palm Sunday one of the most challenging to negotiate as a pastor—and it is not because of the eco-palms or the hymnody. The fact is most mainline church…
Nard-ing Ourselves Out of Our Comfort Zone
“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair…” –John 12:1 The Fragrance of Nard Routine. Comfort zone. The same old same old. For the most part it’s where…
He Came To Himself
“He came to himself…” –Luke 15:17a (from the story of the Prodigal Son and the Prodigal Father) Lent is a time for coming to ourselves, of realizing the distance we have put between ourselves and God. It is a time…