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 […]
Tag Archives: grief
2020 is perhaps the most challenging year for our city, our nation, or world, and our churches in a very long time. Our collective struggle and personal tribulations brought by Covid, isolation, deepening civil polarization, poverty, and systemic racism will not disappear at the stroke of midnight. Dr. Martin Luther King advises that “no social […]
”Why are you weeping?” is the question our Risen Lord asks Magdalene. (John 20). Dressed up in our fashionable Easter finery, it is easy to miss how Easter speaks to our grief. As we come to this unusual Easter, the Good News comes to us stripped down as it did to those earliest disciples […]
Almighty God, Giver of Life We give you thanks for all the saints Who worshiped you in spirit and truth Who sang your praises Whose hearts beat in harmony with you We praise you for sharing their lives with us. Oh, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord We give you thanks for all the […]
This morning I awoke ill at ease. I had this dis-quiet in my spirit. I picked up my coffee and sat down for my Sunday ritual of prayer and a final sermon edit. Oregon sat heavy on my heart. I felt my prepared sermon was sufficient for the day. As I drove to church for […]
Back in my youth ministry days we gave Bibles to graduating Seniors and I often wrote on the inside cover a version of Joshua 1:7-9: “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all (God’s) law; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so […]
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