Certainty or Faithfulness?

In recent days and weeks we have heard a great deal of consternation over the definition of marriage.  Many are claiming a certainty over definitions of marriage; many evangelicals in the Christian faith are claiming certainty according to scripture.  Bold public statements such as this have put the minds of many faithful Christians to the [...]

Loving Like a Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd story (John 10:1-18) and our second reading for this Sunday (1 John 3:16-24) are love stories. They are stories that speak of a pervasive love that comes from God through the metaphoric images of sheep and shepherds. These stories feel good to read, they comfort us as do the words of the [...]

WHO IS CHANGED?

The Transfiguration of our Lord reading from Mark 9:2-9 (Sunday Feb. 19) is a story of change. Transfiguration: a radical transformation of figure or appearance; metamorphosis.   The story(s) from the gospels of Matthew (17:1-9), Mark (9:1-9), and Luke (9:28-36) capture the attention of Peter, James and John as Jesus is transfigured before their eyes on the [...]

SPIRIT versus spirit

In our Sunday (1/25) reading from Mark 1:21-28 we are on the move with Jesus.  Mark uncovers the story of Jesus quickly, beginning with Jesus’ baptism, then into the wilderness tempted by the devil; moving on to teach, heal and cast out demons.  In these few verses Jesus enters a synagogue to teach and is [...]

Shepherding, is it Leading or Following?

In our Sunday (January 15th) readings from 1 Samuel 3:1-20 and John 1:43-51 we hear of callings from the Lord to young Samuel and from Jesus to Philip and Nathaniel.  Samuel later becomes known for his prophetic words of truth telling, and as a leading (the first) prophet of ancient Israel in the period of [...]

Our Close Encounters

The weeks following Christmas and New Year’s day often feel less than exciting, perhaps even a bit depressing.  The First Sunday of Christmas has even received the alias “Low Sunday”– reflecting the lower voices, tempos, and attendance at worship services. Some folks feel a kind of lowness after Christmas guests, our family and friends, have [...]

Favored

Greetings, favored one!  -Luke 1:28 The words of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary at the announcement (the annunciation) to Mary that she would bear a child and his name would be Jesus, son of the most high. Mary was favored by God to create in her womb a place for the creator of [...]

Beginnings

When we start something new we usually begin by counting our resources.  Do you recall the line in the movie The Princess Bride when Inigo Montoya, Westley and Vizzini had to reassess their plans to save the princess because of Inigo’s paralyzed condition?    Facing huge odds and in need a new rescue plan Inigo said [...]

Success

With the recent death of Steven Jobs many discussions of his successes have followed.  Recently, “the seven secrets” of Steve Jobs’ success (stated by Consultant Carmine Gallo), have been published, secrets no doubt thousands of people will try to follow as they seek joy and happiness.  The thought of Jobs’ success begs the question, “What [...]

Shadows

As we approach the end of our Church year (November 20th is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the Church year) the selected readings from Matthew include more and more statements of judgment that often rattle the church goer sitting in the pew. This past Sunday Jesus said in his parable, “For many [...]