On a dance floor, I usually feel self-conscious, awkward, and out of place. Maybe some of you can relate. I think growing up in a denomination officially opposed to dancing didn’t help my confidence. One of our youth directors tracked the school dances and quizzed us about our plans, warning us dancing was a gateway […]
Before the clouds carried Jesus away, the disciples asked, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” Lord, are you going to send the Roman colonizers back to Italy? Jesus, are you going to permanently kick the money changers out of the Temple? God, when will we find the high […]
Last week, as soon as the 8:10am service ended, I raced across the chancel to speak to Phil, Anna, Mary Kay and Louis before they could get away. Did I run over to rejoice “with exceedingly great joy” that our campaign was going so well? (Matthew 2) Did I rush over to make a point […]
Growing up in Kentucky our family watched our Wildcats with a religious exuberance never displayed at church. If the game grew tighter we drew closer to the TV. If a player was shooting crucial free throws, my mom rubbed her folded hands together in a circular prayer-like motion and repeated “come on baby, come on… […]
Our passage follows Pentecost, where “they” were all together in one place”, when suddenly a sound from heaven, like the rush of violent wind, shook the place and something like tongues of fire rested on each person, “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit” and began to speak in other languages: Parthians, Medes, […]
“After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.” We need healing reunions, rituals. And reconciliations. We need to light candles, lay flowers, call friends, and keep the sabbath. There is healing in risking rejoining community. Mary and Magdalene share their […]
There was no fast fashion, no jumbo pack of tube socks at the Dollar Tree, nor Tshirt vendors hawking Passover Festival 33AD hoodies. In the ancient world, everything was handmade and many people owned only what they were wearing and little more. The law told a lender they could not hold a cloak overnight as […]
Early in the morning Jesus returned to the Temple Mount. It is about a two mile walk from the Mount of Olives to the Temple, down a few hundred feet and then back up. Perhaps Jesus entered through the beautiful eastern or Golden Gate. I picture Jesus strolling through gardens or sitting up on an […]
Last week, our benediction came from Ephesians 3: Now to the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Judaism, Christianity, […]
When Jesus heard the news of John’s death, Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place. (Matthew 14) The Gospel of Luke begins in the Temple with John the Baptist’s Father, Zechariah, standing before the altar making that day’s incense offering for the nation. As the fragrant smoke fills the Temple, Zechariah has a […]
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