Linger in the Threshold

This Lent, I’ve been reflecting on the Gospel stories where God encounters people in wilderness places—those in-between spaces where something new has not yet fully emerged. As I consider both my own wilderness seasons and the one the church seems to be navigating, I’m trying to resist the instinct to… Continue reading

Making Space for the New: An Advent Check-In

 The Messiah is coming. Today is the day you’ve been waiting for. Repent—clear out the internal junk that is getting in the way—and get ready to receive the gift that God is sending you. text: Matthew 3:1-12             Have you ever made a significant ordered that took a while to be… Continue reading

Stay Awake to Love: An Advent Reflection

Advent does its quiet, steady work, reminding us that the chaos of now does not undo the promise of God’s love. It reminds us that Jesus has already come near, and will come near again. It reminds us to stay awake not out of fear, but out of hope—to notice… Continue reading

Faith in the Long View: Building What We Might Never See

It feels like in so many aspects of public life, locusts are swarming. But what if that’s not the end of the story? “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied    and praise the name of the Lord your God,    who has dealt wondrously with you.And my people shall never again be put to… Continue reading

On Being Bent Over

ELCIC 2025 Summer Sermon Series Pentecost 11C, Luke 13:10-17 We cannot say we value a day of rest when a person in our gathering is being excluded from that rest. We cannot say we value rest when those who are bound by disease, prejudice, oppression, inequality or our ignorance are… Continue reading

God’s Invitation to Restoration

In the response to criticism about who he’s spending time with, [Jesus] begins by telling stories about people who deeply value that which is in their care.  He begins with relationship that has nothing to do with the achievement the thing that gets found. Lent 4C (Luke 15:11b-32) I read a… Continue reading

More Than a Face In the Crowd

Jesus hears her truth and calls her “Daughter”.  Jairus seeks Jesus out because his little daughter is near death, and an unnamed woman who is near death is seen by Jesus and named Daughter.  This woman’s identity is no longer tied to her chronic condition.  Her identity is now tied to relationship—daughter. Sermon—Mark… Continue reading