"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works" (Psalm 26.7, KJV)
Luke 11:1-13 The “friend” in today’s Gospel finally gets out of bed because of the impudence, the ignoring of convention, the shamelessness of the man at the door. This bit about impudence or shamelessness strikes me; perhaps because I’m engaged… Read moreNinth Sunday after Pentecost
Luke 10:38-42 Martha usually gets a bad rap. Some people like to use her as an example of the modern busyness—rather than sit and hear the words of Jesus, she (like so many of us) is consumed with her work…. Read moreEighth Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 7:7-17 Being a graduate of seminary but not working in a church makes for a lot of stalled conversations. People ask where I was before moving back to my home town and, when I tell them, inquire about what… Read moreSeventh Sunday after Pentecost
2 Kings 5:1-14 If you travel long enough and drive far enough you’ll see them—what I’ve always heard called tourist traps. Maybe it’s a giant ball of yarn, a shoe house, or life-sized dinosaurs. And no matter what it is,… Read moreSixth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Kings 2:1-14; Luke 9:51-62 This week the stories are all about leaving. And with any story about that subject—about the parting of friends and loved ones—there are those who realize what’s happening (Elisha) and those who don’t have the slightest… Read moreFifth Sunday after Pentecost
Luke 8:26-39 It gets overshadowed by the more impressive points of the story. To be honest, it’s hard not to pay attention when you’re told your antagonist is a wild, naked man roaming among the tombs like a character out… Read moreFourth Sunday after Pentecost
I Kings 21:1-21a “I found you,” Elijah tells Ahab, “because you sold yourself to do the evil in the eyes of the Holy One.” “Because you sold yourself.” Those are strong words. They remind me of the stories of bluesmen… Read moreThird Sunday after Pentecost
Psalm 30 Over the past two weeks I’ve been to two graduations. Long commencement speakers aside, I really do enjoy the pomp and ceremony of these rituals. Like any rite, they are moments of transformation. Those receiving their bachelor’s degree… Read moreSecond Sunday after Pentecost
John 16:12-15 “There’s so much left I want to tell you,” Jesus says, “but you can’t handle it right now.” You see, Jesus is going away. And before he goes, there are things he wants to tell his friends. But… Read moreTrinity Sunday
Acts 2:1-21 One of the cable movie channels has been running Master and Commander these past few weeks. I’ve not yet read the Patrick O’Brien books this movie was (loosely) based upon, but they’re on my list of things-to-pick-up-and-check-out-when-there’s-time. I… Read moreDay of Pentecost