There are all sorts of questions Jesus doesn’t answer through his explanation of this parable. But one conclusion he does seem to want his audience to draw is that it is not the servants’ job to pull up the weeds. That will happen at some point. But it’s the servants’ job to nurture… Continue reading
Car trip games are a necessity with 5 kids and no electronics, I suppose. We spent lots of time in the car growing up; and before the days of Walkmans and Game Boys, my parents had to find ways to keep our fidgeting and poking at one another to a… Continue reading
But the challenging reality of being death and resurrection people is that even as we anticipate resurrection, we face death. Lent 5A. John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11 Grace, mercy and peace to you in the name of the one who calls us forth and gives us life. Amen. Here we… Continue reading
Before he has PERFORMED in any way, God declares Jesus beloved. This declaration is what strengthens and equips Jesus for the struggles and realities of his life and ministry. He can love others, because he knows himself to be loved. He can offer healing to others, because he knows himself to be whole. He… Continue reading
This is who and what you are. You are the light. Being a light is not action you take to deserve or prove your rightness before God. Becoming a light is action God takes. You are the light of the world. Some days you may feel like it, most days you probably don’t. But it’s still… Continue reading
I was not radical. I was not passionate. I was not convicted. I wanted so badly to be inspired by women whose stories would then form and inform mine. I just want to say, Anne, that yours has been one of those stories. from “Diaconal Ministry: Anne Keffer,” an interview… Continue reading
When I have those “sighs too deep for words” days, I find myself going back to songs in Swahili that are so deep in my heart they hold me steady when the world is spinning. It’s been one of those weeks. Thanks to the internet, it’s easier to find the… Continue reading
I believe to the core of my soul that God loves and calls children and youth and that the Holy Spirit dwells in them. Let’s be honest—I’m not a great youth minister. I don’t remember the fun games. I don’t have a bunch of treats and prizes in my back pocket. I forget… Continue reading
The practice of writing an end-of-year letter likely stems from all those years of watching my parents send and receive newsletters and prayer letters from various friends and supporters. I still receive a variety of updates from friends and relatives–most who are working overseas or are in ministry in some… Continue reading
I went Christmas carolling recently. Instead of only singing verses 1 and 2 of carols, the leader passed out song books and we sang all the verses of each carol. The combination of memories, connections, references, and experiences that wove together in my heart and mind as we walked the… Continue reading