a series of reflections based on this online stations of the cross experience. In the commentary on this station, the narrator talks about the prophecy Mary receives from Simeon about her heart being broken as she watches Jesus approach his death. The question the narrator asks is, “Has your heart been broken… Continue reading
a series of reflections based on this online stations of the cross experience. This is the first station that doesn’t connect specifically with a situation in scripture, but has been part of church tradition for a long time. And isn’t that true–that there are things that this story of Jesus does and… Continue reading
a series of reflections based on this online stations of the cross experience. What does it mean that Jesus takes up his cross, and then invites us to do the same? Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their… Continue reading
The first of a series of reflections based on this online stations of the cross experience. “Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But (Jesus) gave them no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly… Continue reading
1st Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 2:1-5 Many people shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion… Continue reading
Some verses from Psalm 115 Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them. (v. 3, 4, 8) The heavens are the Lord’s… Continue reading
23rd Sunday after Pentecost Luke 21:5-19, Malachi 4:1-2a, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 What is it about end-of-the-world stories that is so captivating to us? Whether it is the children’s story, Chicken Little, where a chicken runs through the kingdom yelling “the sky is falling, the sky is falling!” or the more… Continue reading
Ephesians 1:17-19 (as part of the Epistle Reading for 11/3/2019) 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know… Continue reading
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
I recently attended a Christian music concert that left me with some thoughts: There is something super-powerful about a corporate gathering of people singing about a shared set of beliefs and values. I’m not a huge fan of large concerts…my preference would almost always be acoustic music in a much… Continue reading