On Lizards, Dragons, and the Stories in the Room

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

All the Uncleanness Rules!

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

The Set-apart-ness of stuff and people

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

The Journey to the Broom Tree

“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

Looking ‘through and beyond’

In Season 1, episode 9 of the show “This is Us,” the siblings are at a family cabin.  There is all sorts of conflict swirling, but in the midst of it they’re trying to re-connect with one another as siblings and family.  At one point, a brother is looking at an old… Continue reading

Reflecting on the Wilderness

Reflection on Exodus 33:12-23 (October 22, 2017) I was invited to share a reflection with a Spanish-speaking congregation.  This was my reflection, which was translated and shared with those who attended. When Moses was praying to the Lord on behalf of his people, there was a separation between people and… Continue reading

Redemptive Violence and 24

A few weeks ago I listened to a Robcast about the “lie of redemptive violence.”  In this podcast, Rob Bell explains how this idea of redemptive violence–that violence in retaliation for wrong-doing can be justified–is deep in our society…and even in our theology.  But it’s really a myth, and he goes… Continue reading

Love Has Come: a New Year’s Sermon

Sermon: January 1, 2017 (1st Sunday of Christmas) “Love Has Come” Matthew 2:13-23 A friend of mine is a missionary in South Sudan, living and working in a refugee camp. She homeschools her 3 boys while her husband does leadership training and discipleship in the community.  And she loves it. … Continue reading

Put down the book and get into the story

I was setting up my nativity characters for chapel this week, and was reminded about a preschool chapel last year that became the central illustration in a sermon I preached on Dec. 20, 2015.  The sermon was in the context of a ‘Traveler’s Christmas,’ a Christmas Eve service for those… Continue reading