For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us… In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are… Continue reading
Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Year C (Oct. 20, 2019) 2 Timothy 3:14-15 — But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation… Continue reading
Then turning toward the woman, [Jesus] said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?” (Luke 7:44a) Jesus sees the woman. He sees her desperation. He sees her tears. He sees her effort and heart. He sees her. When he speaks TO Simon, he TURNS to the woman. He sees her… Continue reading
There was a shooting at a bank here in FL yesterday. 5 people killed by a 21-yr. old who called the police himself to let them know what he’d done and ended up surrendering. What word do we use to describe it? “Tragedy”? Yes. No doubt. I am seeing some… Continue reading
Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst. (Lev. 15:31) Six chapters of rules about what to do with different kinds of uncleanness. Six chapters. Of rules. That’s… Continue reading
As I reflect on Christ the King Sunday (this past Sunday), I find myself pondering the words to the hymn we sang in church: “Though some would make their greatness felt and lord it over all, you said the first must be the last and service be our call. O… Continue reading
I recently attended a Christian music concert that left me with some thoughts: There is something super-powerful about a corporate gathering of people singing about a shared set of beliefs and values. I’m not a huge fan of large concerts…my preference would almost always be acoustic music in a much… Continue reading
For a variety of reasons, I’ve been reflecting on those things that compelled me to go into a professional church leadership career. I ran across this reflection on my ‘call story.’ I figured if I wanted to understand how Lutherans understand faith development, I needed to experience camp. After college… Continue reading
Reading Exodus 30-32 is interesting. Specifically the contrast between Ex. 30-31 and Ex. 32 is intriguing. Ex. 30-31 (and maybe the chapter/s before) are all about setting apart STUFF and PEOPLE as holy and consecrated. The stuff the priests wore was consecrated and holy. The oil used for anointing was… Continue reading
“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the… Continue reading