tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73252788859625732432009-07-13T13:47:45.911-04:00Always: Curious husband and dad looking at the world his daughters are growing up in through a Lectionary lens. Sometimes: Lutheran Preacher in Minnesota on the Edge in the Mid-Western Prairie and the Hiawatha Valley reading scripture and loving life. New post every week for the following Sunday's scriptures.Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-89993061086248990662009-07-06T16:41:00.004-04:002009-07-06T18:32:36.432-04:00

Year B, Season of Pentecost Proper 10, Ordinary Time 14 Sunday Between July 10 and July 16 Inclusive 6th Sunday After Pentecost 2009. The last couple of weeks have been full of celebrations for many in our church. 2 weeks ago the whole building resonated with the stories and excitement of Vacation Bible School. There have been weddings, baptisms, a wonderful 80th birthday and all the joy and

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-68176970039961392082009-06-29T12:17:00.003-04:002009-06-29T18:44:26.925-04:00

Year B, Season of Pentecost Proper 9, Ordinary Time 14 Sunday Between July 3 and July 9 Inclusive 5th Sunday After Pentecost 2009.Read Mark 6:1-6 and watch out: God's on the loose.This is a great story: Jesus came home and it wasn't a great homecoming. As a man it was natural for him to come home. Afterall Jesus had a hometown so why shouldn't he come back home. The tricky part of the story is

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-90808891140206025652009-06-22T17:22:00.005-04:002009-06-22T18:02:32.029-04:00

Jesus came to earth on a mission. He was going to bring the Kingdom of God close to the people. The Good News of Jesus meets us in the middle of life's joys and pains just like Jesus met the people of Palestine in the middle of their joys and pains. Reading Mark 5:21-43 this week is a great reminder how the kingdom works and grows in the middle of our very real lives.Jesus was on his way. He'd

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-74470275925016531752009-06-16T18:03:00.000-04:002009-06-16T18:04:20.519-04:00

..when evening had come, he [Jesus] said to them, 'Let us go across to the other side." This plan made reasonable sense; Jesus and his friends were just heading to the other side of the lake. Jesus and his friends were going to do something ordinary that had been done before. But something changed. The water, that was smooth, got rough. Jesus was there, with them, in the boat; but he was

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-19520612611495433262009-06-08T17:16:00.003-04:002009-06-08T17:36:58.988-04:00

Mark 4 is a great place to start the imagination growing about God's kingdom. Jesus talked about the kingdom like seed spread by a farmer. That seems reasonable; but Jesus didn't stop there. Right away he was telling about the potential in just one mustard seed. Jesus was emphasizing the potential growth that God sees for the kingdom.I read mark 4:26-34 to a member of the church on a visit today.

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-3623667750020364872009-06-01T10:21:00.006-04:002009-06-04T13:20:36.604-04:00

The church is at its very best when we live on the edge. God can use us the most when we are living, together in hope and faith, beyond the certainty of individual resources, at the edges where faith and hope in God meet providing us all the strength needed to follow God into the world.Many worry about the church's relevance in our culture. George Barna, and other sociologists of religion, report

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-42243288438824819442009-05-26T12:47:00.004-04:002009-05-26T14:58:54.796-04:00

On Pentecost God poured out a promise on Jesus' followers. Jesus, and prophets before him, spoke of God acting in the lives of the faithful. A part of me asks, "What is it, what is this promised outpouring from God?" The scripture says it 's the Holy Spirit, fire, the Advocate, power from on high. Jesus promised his friends a gift that would enable them to carry on his ministry through them and

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-23789585579357962402009-05-20T18:06:00.003-04:002009-05-20T18:13:59.786-04:00

Our reading today is about Jesus' return to heaven. In his life and ministry the boundary between heaven and earth started to break down. He taught about God's kingdom not as a place but as a way of life in which justice and love matter.Jesus didn't stay on earth very long. Just 33 years was all he needed. And for the most part what we know about Jesus happened in just the last three years of his

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-71131337672346940302009-05-11T16:10:00.004-04:002009-05-11T16:54:08.081-04:00

Looking through the lens of Jesus' Words in John 15 we see heaven's vision of a complete life. A full life is totally given away; offered completely and without reservation for the sake of others. We seek self-fulfillment and Jesus instead says that if we want to be fulfilled just give it all away for the good of others.So how do we do it? How do we give our lives away?1) All at once.Jesus'

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-59122114576045744892009-05-04T16:50:00.003-04:002009-05-04T17:50:20.052-04:00

Jesus says anyone who hopes for a fruitful life must must abide in him. He uses the image of a vine to explain the complete connection required in order for our lives to bear fruit. Jesus is talking about a total connection where the identity of the vine and the small part of the vine are indistinguishible.Human natures leads us to resist God. We push for independence at every turn. Jesus says

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-18306489062689904852009-04-27T17:30:00.008-04:002009-04-27T18:52:31.831-04:00

Jesus revealed God's radical love in the cross. Before he died he spoke of his death. in John 10 he said that a ture shepherd was entirely ready to face death in defense of those he was called to protect. That's how valuable you are to God. Jesus said he was ready then to face death on behalf of his sheep. Looking back towards Good Friday and Easter we see that Jesus meant it. He wasn't

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-63415665803564930182009-04-20T13:23:00.004-04:002009-04-20T18:26:42.826-04:00

Jesus stepped out of the tomb and that same day he begain appearing to his followers. His risen presence surprised them. Yes, He'd promised to come back from dead, and He did; but his friends who heard his promise to rise still didn't expect to see him. God has been on the move, in ways we don't always expect, ever since. Jesus' rising set his friends free. On Good Friday most of Jesus'

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-80453928628138551072009-04-14T17:38:00.003-04:002009-04-15T18:12:53.902-04:00

Jesus' resurrection rightly surprised his friends. When they met him again for the first time, after he'd risen from the dead, they didn't immediately recognize him. Jesus friends didn't expect to meet their old friend Jesus. They loved and remembered Jesus; but he was dead. They had no earthly reason to recognize him or expect to meet him.Meeting Jesus alive after he was dead defied human reason

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-66703338024281658882009-04-06T18:15:00.003-04:002009-04-06T18:38:39.964-04:00

The Good News has always been something announced to humanity.In Mark, a mysterious young man in a white robe was the first to make the announcement to the 3 women who came to pay their last respects to Jesus. They came to properly annoint and spice his dead body. On their way to the tomb they were worried about moving the stone away. When they got there the stone was rolled away. A

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-84903682566191895062009-04-01T10:26:00.004-04:002009-04-01T16:49:07.626-04:00

Sunday we’ll hear the great height and depth of Jesus’ human story. Jesus rode into Jerusalem a long awaited deliverer; the crowds waved palms and the people cheered, “Hosanna, hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. The story didn’t end there. Jesus the King had come but he wasn’t going to have an easy coronation. He was coming for a crown of thorns. He was coming to be

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-57514183594692087042009-03-25T10:48:00.002-04:002009-03-25T10:51:19.772-04:00

Good MorningIn case you were wondering why there's been no post here in a couple of weeks its because we're moving. We've taken on an adventure heading west this week about 2 hours further into the Prairie. I've been on vacation from church this week. The new call starts on Saturday.you can keep up with the details at unlikelybanter.blogspot.com.pax

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-90021824472420110312009-03-09T18:30:00.002-04:002009-03-09T18:41:34.507-04:00

Jesus cleansing the temple has been a favorite story for me. As a preacher it rings out with the true character of God's only begotten son. He's no wimp, no gutless man who has no standards or identity. Quite the opposite Jesus in this story is strong and pays no respect to men; but gives all respect to God.In my first call at Gol in Kenyon back in the 1990's a confirmation student and I had a

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-25732494379245277302009-03-02T18:31:00.004-05:002009-03-02T19:16:29.178-05:00

Faith came first:Before receiving the land and child they were promised Abram and Sarai had faith. They had faith that God was moving with them into the world. They had faith that the family and land they were promised would come into their lives. God had given them a promise and on faith they left Ur heading west across the desert to a land where they'd never been before.The story wasn't so

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-80165621988218435402009-02-25T17:48:00.002-05:002009-02-25T18:31:46.327-05:00

Jesus baptism story is a story of intensity and drama; and if you're hungry for connection with God this story is for you. Jesus came to the water for baptism along with all the sinners. He came to earth because we sinners need God; but he came to the water for something big to happen. When he was baptized by John heaven was torn apart and God extended his presence into our world and time.We

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-84523847207696477192009-02-24T16:39:00.003-05:002009-02-24T17:25:21.270-05:00

I'd like to share a poem I wrote for this week Remembering I'm dust.Halfway through the week, in the middle of life, its Ash Wednesday, and we gather to remember we're dust. In the middle of the church, a pastor will dig his finger into the ash, he'll put a mark on me, remembering with me that I'm dust. Easter is coming, hope is coming, in the middle of my week, in the midst of birth, death,

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-27117288268170062452009-02-09T14:33:00.002-05:002009-02-09T16:49:31.690-05:00

A hurting man came to Jesus. Everyone could see his disease. He was a leper. The broken skin and open sours proved it to everyone around. He came to Jesus in faith. He didn't ask Jesus if he was capable of healing. Instead he pleaded with Jesus in faith bowing down before him,If you choose, you can make me clean Jesus responded to the hurting man's faith with a touch and words of healing.

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-26700409177104818572009-02-03T11:22:00.008-05:002009-02-04T17:57:14.463-05:00

Jesus' ministry begins fast in Mark ---- Baptism, temptation in the wilderness. In just a few days time he was inviting others to follow, having a confrontation with the daemonic and an exorcism right in the middle of the synagogue. All that in the first few days of Jesus' ministry. Today's reading is the next thing that happened after the exorcism. Right after leaving worship, Jesus went to

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-28228520823836898122009-01-26T13:34:00.004-05:002009-02-04T17:57:14.464-05:00

Over the past 9 years as a pastor Mark's become my favorite Gospel to read out loud, especialy with other people. I love to read Mark because the stories get right to the point without resolving every mystery of Jesus and the incarnation. Reading Mark 1 this week we hear Jesus speaking with power and authority in a synagogue and next witness him quickly entering into battle with the daemonic

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-76547137763150245362009-01-19T14:27:00.007-05:002009-02-04T17:57:20.770-05:00

The readings we have this week are all about timing. It's a good moment with high sounding speeches during an inauguration week to think some about God's timing as well as our own.Our first lesson's from Jonah 3:1-5, 10Some people think that Jonah is just a fish story. But a close reading says that the fish was just a part of the whole story.Jonah was a prophet sent on a mission from God. He

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7325278885962573243.post-60945003534589118192009-01-12T13:24:00.000-05:002009-02-04T17:57:14.465-05:00

The Gospel this week offers us a great time to ask a pesky question. "Where and when do I start following Jesus?"At first glance I try to deflect this sort of question, "Following Jesus has been part of every day. I was raised in a church going home. My wife and I are intentionally raising our daughters in a home where worship is a part of each week and prayer is a part of each day."The

Unlikelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03688838648252031328noreply@blogger.com4