Good-Evil Pressures and Decisions

Audio Link Sunday, July 12, 2015 2 Samuel 6:1–5, 12b–19 Mark 6:14–29   On the surface, the story of John the Baptist’s beheading can be seen as a tragic consequence of good versus evil.  We might even be naive enough to believe that this cannot happen today.  The pressures and decisions surrounding the event, cannot … [Read more…]

Fear and Faith: Jesus Responds

  Sunday, June 21, 2015 | After Pentecost Proper 7 Year B Job 38:1–11 Psalm 107:1–3, 23–32 2 Corinthians 6:1–13 Mark 4:35–41[2] Prior to our Gospel from today, Jesus and His disciples spend the day at the seaside. When you hear that, did you think, wow, what a nice day at the beach? A mini … [Read more…]

God’s Power and Majesty Uses All: Even in our Ambiguity

Audio Version Sunday, May 31, 2015 Holy Trinity Old Testament       Isaiah 6:1–8 Psalm                    Psalm 29:1-11 New Testament      Romans 8:12–17 Gospel                   John 3:1–17[1]   I don’t know about you but for myself, in the texts for today, I hear ambiguity and reliance upon the Father, Son and Spirit in our lives and … [Read more…]

The Light in the Darkness

Audio version Second Sunday of Easter  April 12, 2015 New Testament      1 John 1:1–2:2 Gospel                   John 20:19–31   The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is a story of hope for us. It is also a story that helps us to see God in a different light than in the past. We are … [Read more…]

Jesus is with Us: In Our Darkness & During Our Temptations

Audio Version Old Testament Isaiah 50:4–9a Psalm Psalm 31:9–16 New Testament Philippians 2:5–11 Gospel Mark Mark 15:1–39 Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly. He is welcomed as the King of Israel. How quickly this all changes for Jesus, His disciples and subsequently for us as well. We wave our palms, shouting Hosanna in the highest. Next thing … [Read more…]

Into the Wilderness

Audio Version Sunday, February 22, 2015 First Sunday of Lent Genesis 9:8–17 Psalm 25:1–10 1 Peter 3:18–22 Mark 1:9–15 I read the gospel this week and it struck me very starkly about Jesus being driven into the wilderness. When I read this, I had a sense of relief. That may seem a little strange; so … [Read more…]

Sowers of Love to All

[youtube:http://youtu.be/Pfm3aRkcb_I] Isaiah 55:10-13 Romans 8:1-11 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Whenever I have planted a garden, I am very careful about prepping the soil, adding in fresh soil, compost and other things that will help retain moisture and provide nutrients for the seeds I am about to plant.  Then I till all that together and make nice … [Read more…]

Fear and Love

Audio Link Acts 2:14a Acts 2:36–41 Psalm 116:1–4 Psalm 116:12–19 1Peter 1:17–23 John 20:19–31 I have secrets and do not care to share them. I have had secrets that I dare not share at the time. Some secrets we have may be related to self-perception. Some related to others perception of us. Some are grounded … [Read more…]

Gone!

He was taken from us, why did this happen!? God, Jesus said He was Your Son.  If that were so, then why did You let Him die?  Why God, why have you forsaken Your Son?  If Him, then what about us? Jesus, King of the Jews, Son of man, Son of the living God, has … [Read more…]

Silence

Jesus of Nazareth has been taken from us!  We just broke bread together and shared in drink.  Now He has been betrayed and taken away.  We are scattered and scared, not knowing what will come of this. We are in silence, in hiding for our own fear of what will happen next.  Will they punish … [Read more…]