The Gospel of Luke accompanies us this year on our sacred journey into Lent and the seasons beyond. Luke is one of the three “synoptic” Gospels. Luke “sees alike” with Matthew and Mark. But Luke also has unique material, two chapters of which we studied during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany (Luke chapters 1 & 2).… Continue reading Sinners Wanted!
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Esther: I Am Titanium
She’s bullet proof. Fire away, fire away. She won’t fall. Ricochet. Is it the pop song “Titanium” or an anthem for the Book of Esther? What the no-good Haman sends Esther’s way ricochets. Violence takes a side-ways bounce. We had our version of an Esther-worthy Purim party today. There were Hamantashen (from “Haman”) treats and… Continue reading Esther: I Am Titanium
Luke: The Musical/Flash Mob
I’d forgotten about the Luke Rock Opera I wanted someone to compose until I was preparing for Palm Sunday. The Palm Sunday text just reinforces an ongoing theme in this musical, partying Gospel. Consider these words and scenes… Back in chapter one there’s Mary finding out she’s pregnant and soon after soloing about the radical… Continue reading Luke: The Musical/Flash Mob
Thai Dance Therapy
When I picked up my daughter from school yesterday she was on a mission. She was on a tear about the country of Thailand. She wanted to cook Thai food and learn as much as she could about Thailand (well, at least “10 things”) for a special class at school the next day. Yes: A… Continue reading Thai Dance Therapy
Start Seeing Fish
Many people are suffering from colds and flu right now. So far I’m doing OK, but yesterday heading into church I felt a bit like a substitute teacher. There was an extra lesson plan that needed covering, extra announcements and an extra important meeting that needed leading. But in the midst of it all I… Continue reading Start Seeing Fish
Downton Abbey Psalter
Season 3, Episode 2. OK, so maybe it could be jumping the shark. Edith’s nuptials, Mrs. Hughes’ health scare, Mr. Bates’ fate still hanging in the balance. But I still love “Downton Abbey.” I love the dialogue, especially from the first two seasons. I love the cast of characters and how in any scene you’re… Continue reading Downton Abbey Psalter
Sandy Prayer
In preparing the prayers for Christmas Eve night each year, I try to go big. Prayers for the World. For Peace. For Hope. This year as I was gathering up thoughts I was struck that in recent months we’ve been praying through 2 Sandys – a superstorm and a school tragedy. Psalm 12:5 hit a… Continue reading Sandy Prayer
Embrace the Den
Lions’ Dens are usually not happy places. In general it’s a good idea to avoid them. Spiritually, however, they are inevitable or we avoid them at our risk. If we are practicing our beliefs or applying our ethics sooner or later we are going to face Lions. Maybe this photo of a lion’s den can… Continue reading Embrace the Den
Yes, There is a Real African Lion in our Worship Space
Yesterday in worship we studied a rich text where a ghostly, disembodied hand appears and writes an eerie message on a partying king’s wall (Daniel 5). A mysterious hand appeared on cue and “mene, mene, tekel, parsin” got scrawled on the sanctuary wall. That was really cool. But what really got me was just before… Continue reading Yes, There is a Real African Lion in our Worship Space
Blending In
We did a “blending of sands” rite in worship yesterday. Our church has recent roots in two different congregations and it was thought that a blending of sands might symbolize our union. Perhaps you’ve seen one of these rites in a wedding. Kind of like “the unity candle” (an optional rite within a wedding service),… Continue reading Blending In