Unlikely Conversation: a Lectionary Blog

God sent fish tales Jonah and Mark 1:14-20

2012-01-19T17:24:00.000-05:00

Consider two fish stories: Jonah and Peter. They had one thing in common: both of them had great success fishing for people. The church today joins Jonah and Peter and a whole lot of others who, over the years, have fished for souls spreading news that God's kingdom is drawing near. Our reading, Jonah 3:1-5, Jonah 3:10 gives details of Jonah's ministry to Nineveh. 5 words of his preaching

How do you know me? John 1:43-51

2012-01-11T12:39:00.004-05:00

Jesus called his first followers to come follow him. Peter was first, then his brother Andrew. Next Philip who He invited Nathanael saying We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.Nathanael was unconvinced, Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?Jesus greeting surrprised him, Here is a true Israelite, in

Words of Grace When Heaven Is Torn Open Mark 1:4-11

2012-01-03T16:51:00.003-05:00

As I read Mark 1:4-6, it sounds a lot like John the Baptist is the story's subject. But read the next line and John says the story, and his ministry, is about somebody else (Mark 1:7-8).Jesus appears and it's clear John played a significant part in the story, but he was not the central character (Mark 1:9). John was first announcing Jesus' ministry but he wasn't the last. God the Father reached

O Holy Night Luke 2:1-20

2011-12-19T12:46:00.007-05:00

There are so many side stories told at Christmas. And many of these stories are rabbit trails. Upland bird hunters know the frustration of watching even a great dog chase down a rabbit trail rather than a pheasant. It's easy chase up the wrong trail at Christmas. Even the Gospels have stories of secondary importance. Christmas is time to focus on what's most important. Merchants tell us the

Mary's Angelic Meeting Luke 1:26

2011-12-19T12:19:00.004-05:00

Mary's story starts unexpectedly: an angel met her and spoke words of hope and joy.cai`re, kecaritwmevnh, oJkuvrio" meta sou`. Luke 1:28 (NA26) Rejoice joyfilled/gracefilled one the Lord is with you.Mary was young, just a teenager, promised in marriage to a man named Joseph. Her life, independent of mom and dad, was just about to get underway. The older I get the younger Mary seems. Just a

One who is among you John 1:6-8, 19-28

2011-12-08T12:20:00.002-05:00

This advent I've been impressed by the role of John the Baptist in ways that I haven't been before. John's preaching has always impressed me. Listen to John's clarion call in Luke and Matthew to repent, as in Matthew 3:2, repent μετανοειτε rings out over the centuries. John's issued an order that jars and calling us back to God and away from all the lesser things we might think are so

A greater one is coming Mark 1:1-8

2011-11-30T13:53:00.003-05:00

Mark's gospel begins with a surpising man, a man at home in the wilderness who spoke about an even greater witness to come after him.And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”The Holy Bible : New International Version, (

Is this the end Mark 13:25-37

2011-11-28T13:36:00.004-05:00

A little while ago a woman who I didn’t know very well, but who knew that I'm a pastor, asked me if I thought that the end-times had begun. Now that, I thought to myself, is a loaded question. So I gave her a loaded answer in reply. I told her what Jesus said, and what we hear in Mark 13:32--no one knows, except the father. But she persisted quoting the same chapter of scripture saying Jesus also

A kingdom in the world Matthew 23:34-46

2011-10-31T13:48:00.004-04:00

I know I am posting backwards but hey it's a blog.Christians believe that God's building a kingdom. It's already here and seen in the acts of mercy that God's people show to one another; but the second you think you can grab onto the kingdom and hold onto it it slips from your hands.Many people today say they believe in the coming of God's kingdom and even that their lives are meant to be part of

you belong to... Matthew 22:15-22

2011-10-11T15:47:00.003-04:00

I write today remembering my uncle, Ben Thoma. He died yesterday. Talking with my aunt today I'm reminded what a great life he had introducing modern people to the natural world as a biologist and naturalist. My cousin Ed wrote of him today. I have great memories sitting on the bench seat in the pick up bouncing along washboard quality dirt roads in Itasca State Park with Ben listening to his

Jesus, are you talking to me? Matthew 21:33-43

2011-09-26T16:57:00.003-04:00

There's no clearer point of conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment than in the temple the week before his death. Jesus overturned tables and confronted the money changes. The high-priest and elders were attune to his presence asking for answers. The wanted to know what authority Jesus had to act Matthew 21:23. Jesus answered their question with 3 parables questioning their

Who did the Father's will? Matthew 21:23-32

2011-09-19T17:26:00.004-04:00

Imagine the sceneJesus in the temple in Matthew 21:23. He was in the place that symbolized the very heart of Israel's religious life. Some there in the temple wanted to hear him teach and others were questioning him, doubting him maybe even hoping to trap him so that they could have their way over him. The religious leaders asked, By what authority are you doing these things and who gave you

a life worthy of the gospel Philipians 1:20-30

2011-09-15T13:13:00.004-04:00

Paul wrote to the church in Philipi about being church. He said things plainly. And he said that what was important was living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Paul wrote Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one

How Many Times Matthew 18:21-35

2011-09-08T16:59:00.007-04:00

Jesus had a great way of teaching us the real truth about himself and ourselves as human beings: telling stories. Stories can tell us a whole lot about who we are and what we do sometimes even more clearly than just giving us a rule to follow.In Matthew Jesus had been speaking with his friends about forgiveness. He told them that they had power in the church to set people free, to let them lose

treat them like what? Matthew 18:15-20

2011-09-03T14:41:00.005-04:00

Jesus gives directions about what to do when another person sins against us in Matthew 18:15 . Start by going to the person 1 to 1 and only if not listened to bring in another Matthew 18:16, and only then go to the church Matthew 18:17. Jesus next words are intriguing words: treat them like tax-collectors and gentiles Matthe 18:18. At first this sounds like an invitation to cast out as a sinner.

Get in In Line Behind Jesus Matthew 16:21-28

2011-08-25T17:27:00.002-04:00

You belong: in line behind Jesus Jesus had a destiny 2000 years ago: the cross, suffering, and death and only after all that resurrection to new life. This side of His resurrection we understand in faith all this had to happen and did as part of God's saving plan. Jesus' friend Peter didn't see it the same way before the cross and resurrection. Peter believed, even before the resurrection that

Jesus' Building Plan Matthew 16:13

2011-08-18T13:12:00.003-04:00

After hearing Peter's confession of faith Jesus announced a bold decision. Jesus planned to build His church on him, on Peter and his confession of faith Matthew 16:18-19. Be clear about who is doing what here: Jesus has decided to build a church. And He told Peter the plan saying plainly, “...you are the rock and upon you I will build my church...” Matthew 16:18 Make no mistake about it;

A Woman's Bold Faith Matthew 15:21-28

2011-08-11T14:13:00.003-04:00

Using the Crossings method Initial Diagnosis: our external problem – with one another Initially it's tempting to think that this story is only about a woman who needs help caring for her sick daughter. But we soon realize she has other hurts and broken dimensions in her life. If we are reflective at all we see that her problems, much like ours, are far bigger and more complicated than we admit.

A Water Walking Kind of Guy Matthew 14:22-33

2011-08-01T17:53:00.004-04:00

Jesus walked on water. I've seen a bunch of kids try to make it look like were. Years ago at a scout camp on a beautiful lake kids would walk out on some old pilings that lay just below the surface in one of the bays. It was a great picture to get of kids out in the lake, "walking on the water."This was no mere trick for Jesus. There were no pilings. Indeed he was just crossing the lake when

Jesus' Compassion Matthew 14:13-21

2011-07-27T12:57:00.002-04:00

Jesus came on purpose. He came to be the light and to shine into our lives and to be reflected by us into every corner and every hurting place.Do you ever wonder what God sees as we come towards him.Does God see the great things you've done?Does God see the plaques that hang on your walls or the medals you won in 7th grade.Does God see the hurts you bear and the hurts others bear on your account?

It only takes little Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

2011-07-27T12:46:00.002-04:00

How much of God's activity does it take to change the world?Jesus in Matthew seems to be arguing that it takes just a little bit from God to start the kingdom breaking into our place and time. In Matthew 13:31-32 Jesus compared God's Kingdom to a tiny mustard seed. Jesus said that God works just like a mustard seed. God starts small and grows. God's kingdom is at work in often tiny ways.

Weeds? in my garden? Matthew 13:24-30 36-43

2011-07-12T16:48:00.005-04:00

Jesus chose stories to teach and some, like NT Wright, argue we should to. Why? Because Jesus seemed to know that he could make his point through stories better sometimes than through lectures.Jesus spoke in this story of wheat and weed in Matthew 12:24-30 and then he explained the story in Matthew 13:36-43. Jesus spoke of a landowner who had a wheat field seeded. In our day farmers go out

Jesus, just who are you talking to? Mathew 13:1-23

2011-07-05T17:12:00.005-04:00

Good Afternoon, after a week off for Bible School and Vacation it seems like a good thing to look at sciptureJesus, who are you talking to? Might sound like a funny question until considering the mixed crowd who came to see Him.People have different reasons to seek Jesus out:real disciples want to walk close with himcrowds come for deeds of power: healings and miraclesothers come looking to

Go make followers Matthew 28:16-20

2011-06-15T16:16:00.003-04:00

Matthew's Gospel tells that Jesus, the morning He rose from the dead, asked the women who came to his tomb to go find His friends. They were both to announce the Good News to them, that Jesus had risen from the dead, and invite them meet the Risen One in Galilee.Jesus met them on a mountaintop. Some saw him and worshipped him recognizing Jesus and other's who'd been with him didn't recognize him

Come Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-21

2011-06-09T16:59:00.005-04:00

Come Holy Spirit--After Jesus rose some of his friends, Peter among them, went back to what they knew best--fishing. Part of the reason may have been that they needed something to do while they were waiting for God to act next. Fishing was what they knew. It was their livelyhood before Jesus called them to follow. After watching Jesus rise they were back on the lake in the boats with the nets in

Does Easter End Acts 1:1-11 Luke 24:44-53

2011-05-31T17:10:00.006-04:00

Luke and Acts together tell the story of Jesus' followers becoming the church. The key moment when one act ends and another act is happens in Acts 1:1-11 Luke 24:44-53. The risen Jesus gathered together with his friends. He gave them instructions and then lifted up his hands to bless them. And as Jesus blessed them His Body was take up into Heaven. As Jesus rose the disciples looked up towards

with you forever John 14:15-21

2011-05-24T17:37:00.007-04:00

Right before his death Jesus made a promise to his friends.I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18 NIVJesus words mattered for his first followers and they matter for us today. If God wanted to hide from humanity no one on earth would ever find him.The Good News is that God wants to be known to us. God wants not only to be known by us: God wants to be so close to us that

part of God's Household John 14:1-14

2011-05-17T16:18:00.003-04:00

Jesus gave his friends a word of hope shortly before his death. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?1He promised them a place in the home of his Father. There's a human tendency to think of this promise in earthly, human terms of

A new name for "Thomas Sunday" John 20:19-31

2011-04-27T12:17:00.005-04:00

I've sometimes called the First Sunday after Easter Thomas Sunday. We read the gospel story (John 20:19-31) that talks about his unbelief and belief in Jesus resurrection afterall.I'd like to call it something else this year. Why?Because Thomas isn't really the subject of the story: this story is all about the risen Jesus. Some years I read this story and think it's all about Thomas. Afterall

The night before he was betrayed. John 13:1-17, 31-35

2011-04-20T13:58:00.004-04:00

The night before he was betrayed something big was happening in Jesus life. Jesus and his friends gathered for a last and final meal. He knew what was coming: betrayal. But He didn't run or seek to make a bargain to save His own skin. He joined with his friends for supper. His friends didn't know it was the last one. When He told his friends what was about to happen not a one of them understood

Its not about the tomb John 11:1-45

2011-04-06T13:10:00.004-04:00

We're getting closer to death and to Easter both in our lives and in time this year as the days on the calendar tick by like clockwork. Easter is coming; but before God's full is revealed in the greatest day after we sink down into the worst days. Temptation, sin, isolation, disability, and death creep up on us in life. This year the scripture readings for Lent have lead us deeper into suffering.

Seeing the Light John 9:1-42

2011-03-29T16:37:00.001-04:00

At every baptism we retell some of Jesus words about light as we hand the sponsors of the newly baptized a candle. “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Heavenly Father.” or “Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life.”Jesus healed a man blind since birth. He told the man, “ I am the light of

story and promise John 3:1-17

2011-03-14T15:02:00.004-05:00

I think of John 3:1-15 as the great back story that gets jumped over to get to one of the meatiest part of John 3: the promise of God's love revealed in John 3:16-17. I say don't skip the story to get to John 3:16 because there's so much mystery in the story. A man named Nicodemus was looking for Jesus. The story gets more because mysterious Nicodemus came at night. Sue Whitt offers some

the long battle Matthew 4:1-12

2011-03-10T18:27:00.002-05:00

There's was an ongoing battle, that is told of in our scripture readings. It's was a battle featuring Eve and Adam verses Satan in our first reading and Jesus and the very same old opponent, Satan, in our Gospel reading. Some say these were two different fights. I wonder looking at these readings and listening to Paul talk to the Romans if it wasn't really just the same fight that continued on

Ashes, faith, death and Life Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

2011-03-07T18:09:00.006-05:00

Faith is a matter of death and life not piety or public actions that appear faithful. It's more common to think about faith as a matter of life and death; but faith in Christ, the ashes on our heads will remind us, is about living while we are already good as dead and living again after our bodies have returned back to the dust. Gerhard Forde wrote of faith as a matter of death first and then

Transfiguration: it's not about me Matthew 17:1-9

2011-03-03T17:46:00.004-05:00

I wonder reading Matthew 17:1-9 is the Transfiguration about Jesus or about me. My habit, as a sinner, is to make it and everything else about me. Rick Warren's greatest line, "It's not about you" still serves like a bell for me because it really isn't about me. God's different from me, and God's habit, as a redeemer of sinners, is to have it be about him but to give the benefits away. And

Trusting today and tomorrow

2011-02-22T18:22:00.004-05:00

This past month our gospel lessons have come straight from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I imagine Jesus standing on top of a small ridge as the crowd spread out below him in a bowl to hear him talk.The crowd came looking for something or someone to make them and their world right. The world was right once. Back along time ago. God made it right and beautiful and good. Eden is back there in our

See I have set before you Deut 30:15-20

2011-02-07T17:17:00.003-05:00

"See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity” (Deuteronomy 30:15 NRSV)There are a myriad of choices that lay before us everyday. “Blue shirt of white shirt?” Doesn't seem like a life and death choice does it? At least not as obvious as the one's facing Israel? “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings

Salty and Bright Matthew 5:13-20

2011-01-31T11:57:00.007-05:00

Jesus understood His followers. He understood that we could change the world for good, like salt and light can change the world as God works through us. Jesus spoke of his followers saying they were like salt for the earth. As he graciously addressed them He asked this question, εαν δε το αλας μωρανθη εν τινι αλισθησεται 1897 Skrivner New TestamentJesus tells his followers that he came to

Beatitudes: an invitation to living Matthew 5:1-12

2011-01-25T17:44:00.004-05:00

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 are an invitation from Jesus into life with him. It's an invitation that comes to us in whatever state or stage of life we are living in. The word Jesus used 8 times in the Beatitudes is μακάριοι meaning blessed or happy are. 8 times Jesus called those facing struggles in faith blessed or happy.In our world we have expectations of what will make us happy; and

Fishing Seasons Matthew 4:12-23

2011-01-20T13:54:00.004-05:00

Jesus said, as his first disciples started to follow him, that they would one day fish for people. They were fisherman by trade; but Jesus was inviting them to learn from him and begin a new kind of fishing. The funny thing about fishing for people is that we often find ourselves fishing when we don't think it's the right season or that we are the best prepared.Our lives go through many seasons.

looking for the lamb John 1:29-42

2011-01-10T15:13:00.004-05:00

John was a prophet. Some say he was the veyr last Old Testament prophet. He spoke on God's behalf with a clear mission, to prepare the way. When Joh, “...saw Jesus coming toward him he declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29-30 NRSV It was a true declaration. The words rang clear with the promise of God's chosen one coming into the world. Still that

an unfolding story Matthew 3:13-17

2011-01-03T17:20:00.005-05:00

Jesus story unfolded over a great number of years. Jesus unique relationship with the divine and the wonder of His birth were known for a brief flash very clearly to a small number of people at Christmas. His mother and father, the shepherds who heard the news near Bethlehem of his birth, the wise-men who came from the east, they all understood that he was someone wonderful and unexpected coming

Searching for Light? How about Epiphany Matthew 2:1-12

2010-12-30T13:32:00.004-05:00

Epiphany is about Light. Some liken Epiphany to the sunlight that comes a little earlier and stays a little later with us in the Northern Hemisphere these days. The change is subtle at first, but come June it's obvious.Epiphany is about light; but it's about a different kind of Light that is coming into the world for us.Epiphany is a celebration for those who have found the Light. Matthew tells

Seeing Angels changing plans. Luke 2:1-20 Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:13-23

2010-12-20T15:56:00.005-05:00

Christmas Eve 2010 and the First Sunday of ChristmasReal angels aren't soft and cushy.Real angels are messengers and warriors. They comes in God's service. They come not on a whim or a fancy but right into the middle of everything.I get a chill from reading the stories of Angels making announcements as part of the Christmas: in Luke, to Zechariah, to Mary, to the Shepherds in the fields. In

When God Sends in the Angels... Matthew 1:18-25

2010-12-13T16:11:00.003-05:00

When God sends the Angels into our lives our plans and our most hopeless situations are well on their way to being transformed.Case in point: Joseph.When God sent the Angel's into Joseph's life he was a hurting man. He was pledged to marry young woman and build a life together. Then news came his bride to be was pregnant. Joseph was ready to turn away from their engagement. He could have chosen

Knowing it's Jesus Matthew 11:2-11

2010-12-06T14:02:00.004-05:00

Jesus spoke about the signs of his being messiah to the followers of John the Baptist. And this same Jesus gave his friends a warning about false prophets,the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I

Grace will Shake of the Chaff Matthew 3:1-12

2010-12-06T12:50:00.003-05:00

Advent brings an annual reading of John the Baptist's bold declarations in the desert: repent and prepare.Many read the Gospel, including a preacher I heard yesterday in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and focus in on our actions to make ourselves ready. Quoting a bishop's letter the preacher made a case that Advent involves preparation responding to John's call.Reading Matthew again this year I was

2010-11-10T17:46:00.003-05:00

Jesus and his friends were in Jerusalem in the temple. Some of his friends remarked about the temple how great the stones all looked in their places and how the whole temple was appointed with gold and gifts dedicated to God. And Jesus warned them as they took awe at the work of human hands,“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them

Glimpsing Heaven: All Saints Luke 6:20-31

2010-11-04T12:12:00.006-05:00

Minnesota Lutherans start November with a weekend set aside in church for remembering. Many of our churches send out invitations to families who have lost loved ones to come and join us worshipping God and giving thanks. We have rituals naming aloud all those who we have laid to rest over the past year.We give thanks to God in song. Candles might be lit or roses might be placed on the altar in

Jesus came for this small man Luke 19:1-10

2010-10-29T00:49:00.000-04:00

About 10 years ago, when I was fresh from seminary, a group of 4 7th and 8th graders joined me reading the Gospel of Mark. As we read we got some very clear ideas in our imaginations about what different people in the gospels were like. One of the most interesting groups of people to imagine were the tax collectors. Every kid in that group could sing a little ditty about a tax collector, "

What's in your heart Luke 18:9-14

2010-10-18T13:08:00.003-04:00

Jesus told a story of two men who came to the temple to pray, a pharisee and a tax collector. In life men like these 2 are viewed ifferently and likely even see themselves differently. Jesus knows each of us. He knows very well that we each have our own views of ourselves and our own reasons why we might think that we out to come to God in prayer.Jesus even let's us in on the reasons "why" each

Keep Praying Luke 18:1-8

2010-10-14T17:49:00.002-04:00

There's a real picture of a human faith and prayer that Jesus paints as he tells the story of the widow and the unjust judge. It's a vivid picture that both haunts and inspires. We want to meet God and see him and reach him easily; truth is we want all of our encounters with God to be easy. Jesus knows what we want from God; and he spoke boldly about the real character of God that isn't always

What happens when God changes your life? Luke 17:11-19

2010-10-04T18:11:00.004-04:00

Look around today and you can see God at work in the lives of many who don't stop to give their thanks and praise in return for all that's been done for them. This situation is nothing new.Luke tells the story of 10 people who lived with leprosy, a terrible disease that forced them into isolation for fear that their sickness would spread. They were unclean and had to live apart to prevent

Christian Humility Luke 17:5-10

2010-09-27T10:57:00.005-04:00

Just a note,many in our town have had some water in their basement after significant rains in excess of 6 inches last week. Folks in other towns near by have faced even greater flooding and even greater challenges in the aftermath. Truman Minnesota just to our north had over a foot of rain last week. Please keep those who have lost some property so quickly to this surprising fall flooding in your

God knew his name Luke 16:19-31

2010-09-27T10:23:00.003-04:00

Today we listen to Jesus and join him considering the lives of two men who lived and died in very close proximity to one another. One of the two men is very poor. This man with no home has a name, Lazarus. The other man has no name but is described as rich.Jesus is telling this story in no small part to emphasize the great difference between human society and the world as God would have it be. In

Who you serve Luke 16:1-15

2010-09-13T17:22:00.011-04:00

Jesus, in Luke 16:1-15, tells a story that many people can relate too. A man was about to lose his job as a business manager. He was accused of wrong doing and his boss demanded that he make an accounting for what he'd done and what he had left undone.The manager didn't like his chances. He,...thought to himself, ‘Now what? I’m through here, and I don’t have the strength to go out and dig ditches

Loving the Unlovable Luke 15:1-10

2010-09-09T18:21:00.002-04:00

Luke tells us in our gospel that people who might be considered ungodly were coming close to listen to Jesus. Luke wrote,Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”Jesus and the Pharisees didn't see eye to eye on this matter at all. The pharisees had

Leave that too Luke 14:25-33

2010-09-02T18:17:00.002-04:00

When Jesus tried to make his way into the towns it was often impossible to get to him. The crowds who wanted to be near him were so big. And as the crowds got bigger Jesus turned and said words that weren't meant to attract more people to jump on to the band wagon.“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot

Look who's coming to dinner Luke 14:1,7-14

2010-08-23T18:04:00.003-04:00

Jesus told parables, like the one in Luke 14:1,7-14, to help people understand what he saw happening as the kingdom of God arrived. The parable isn't just about how we eat at fancy meals or even who we eat with. This parable is really about how God regards all of us and how God in turn wants us to honor the people around us.Unfortunately the lectionary leaves out part of the story. Luke starts

God's unauthorized power

2010-08-19T16:31:00.002-04:00

The story in Luke 13:10-17 makes me want to stand up and cheer. The kingdom of God was coming at unexpected hour. It happened as Jesus taught in a synagogue on the Sabbath. In the crowd he saw a woman hunched over. We might speculate as to the cause maybe arthritis, maybe scoliosis, maybe an injury. Jesus said it was something more sinister naming the power that held her bound as daemonic.

waiting for fire

2010-08-10T17:25:00.002-04:00

Jesus words in Luke 12 move from inspiring confidence in what God can do on behalf of his people to showing us the reason why Jesus came.He came to bring fire to the world. 3 years ago I wrote a reflection on this weeks Gospel that still gets a hit every now and then. The reality is still the same. Jesus' passion for us is no different. He burns to see us alive and on fire for his sake and

Trusting in God Luke 12:32-40

2010-08-03T18:13:00.003-04:00

Jesus gives clear instructions in the gospel reading for this week.do not be afraidsell your possessions and give almsmake purses in heaven where thieves can't steal or moths destroy your true treasurebe dressed for action with your lamps litThese instruction go hand in hand. He says to trust him knowing that he will supply us with our every need. He says trust knowing that we are here today by

Talking about money Luke 12:13-21

2010-07-26T12:22:00.010-04:00

End of July greetings to any and all readers.I've been blessed with some good distractions this past month. Time with my family, in laws, and Godparents at the start of the month and a visit with my sister, niece, and my folks last week. But now I am back trying to figure out what to say this coming Sunday.Reading the gospel for this week there's plenty to talk about. Jesus spoke about a rich man

Sit with Jesus Luke 10:38-42

2010-07-14T17:33:00.004-04:00

"Lord, don't you care...?"Martha asked Jesus this question. It's a question Jesus has probably heard again and again over 2000 years as followers seek to be faithful. The question's borne of frustration and disappointment proving that no matter how much we strive there's still more to do.Martha busied herself serving while her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to her teacher. The truth of

YourNname in the Book of Life: a better reason to rejoice. Luke 10:1-11,16-20

2010-07-01T11:31:00.003-04:00

Jesus friends believed they had plenty of reason to rejoice. But he said there was an even better reason.In Luke 10:1-15 Jesus sent His friends out into the towns and villages to heal, caste out daemons and announce the that the kingdom of God was coming near. They were to go where they were welcome. Where they were unwelcome they were to wipe the dust from their feet. It's worth noting that

How do we live free: Galatians 5:1,13-25

2010-06-21T16:28:00.006-04:00

Greetings to any and all readers,I took a week away from this blog and most other activities for Vacation Bible School. It was a week imagining being on a High Seas Adventure while studying the Book of Acts.Back in the routine I looked back to what I'd written before about this week's readings; but as Jesus makes clear, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in

It's Christ who lives. Galatians 2:15-21

2010-06-09T00:23:00.002-04:00

Paul told the church in Galatia"it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NRSVI saw this reality in action twice this past weekend.On Saturday I went to a funeral for a man named Albion who died at 91.On Sunday my beloved, our girls, and I attended

Jesus said, "Rise" Luke 7:11-17

2010-06-01T17:03:00.002-04:00

Jesus' ministry began to attract great attention; not because of his teaching at first; but because of the miracles. The miracles drew in the crowds who would be willing to listen to him teach. The miracles were proof of Jesus authority. Sickness, sin, and the daemonic were not too much for Jesus. He healed, forgave, and exorcised. But there's another great enemy that we humans can't conquer

God's triune identity John 16:12-15

2010-05-25T17:08:00.002-04:00

A week ago a man stopped by wanting to speak tell a story about his experience of God. It started 11 years ago and it's shaped his life. I asked him what he understood about Christian mystics. He didn't know much and thought the word sounded too magical. He assumed his experience of God was unique, like few others had ever had. I told him of mystics trying to relate his experience to that of

The Holy Spirit, a promise kept John 14:8-17

2010-05-19T12:35:00.002-04:00

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit AMENPentecost Sunday is a day to remember, to celebrate, and to dream. Jesus promised to send us an advocate. He said, I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate; to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with

Gone from sight Luke 24:44-23

2010-05-10T17:23:00.004-04:00

Ascension Sunday Year CHope came back to Jesus followers when they met him again after the resurrection. The day he died they were lost--leaderless and without hope--the day before Jesus death they had been confident; over-confident because they didn't understand either the nature of Jesus' power or the nature of the Kingdom of God.After the resurrection Jesus' friends would be ready to go

Guardians and Missionaries Wanted Acts 16:9-15

2010-05-04T12:23:00.006-04:00

The Apostle Paul seems to have had both peace with God through Jesus and an unsettled spirit that left him out on the edge of the church spreading the gospel. Paul's life was tranformed by his conviction of sin and forgiveness by Jesus on the road to Damascus. His encounter with God seems to have completely convinced him that the kingdom was coming soon.Paul didn't settle down instead he lived

What's it like there? Revelation 21:1-6 John 13:31-35

2010-04-29T10:46:00.004-04:00

%th Sunday of Easter Year CSalvation came into the world. He name is Jesus. When Jesus came, the timeless God who is always one with the father, entered into our world. Some people followed him. He healed, many rejoiced. He taught, others rejected him. He was crucified and rose from the dead. The story of God entering into our time and space teaching, healing, dying, and rising is the core of our

Jesus knows his own John 10:22-20

2010-04-19T13:22:00.002-04:00

People in Jesus day were hoping and wondering if Jesus was the one. The people of Israel wanted the Messiah. Some came to Jesus boldly,“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” John 10:24 NRSVThe question shows real chutzpah. Jesus healed and taught about a Kingdom; but he wasn't acting like the Messiah they wanted. The people had suffered greatly but still

Conversion or Forgiveness Paul in Acts 9:1-20 and Peter in John 21:1-19

2010-04-13T19:20:00.003-04:00

I've been pondering what it means to say that Paul had a conversion in Acts 9. For many years I assumed that Paul had converted to a new faith on the Damascus road. After all the word “conversion” appears as a heading for Acts 9 in many bibles. Then I heard a podcast by Mark Goodacre (I think he teaches at Duke).Goodacre asks some provocative questions to start about the narrative form of Luke

The room where fear met hope John 20:19-31

2010-04-06T17:19:00.002-04:00

Fear and hope met together in the same room 2000 years ago. Jesus friends were living in fear when they met hope embodied in the person of Jesus.The fear was thick enough for everybody in the room to feel it that day. It was fear that brought them upstairs to a locked room. And Jesus inexplicably stepped into the midst of this fear bound gathering. God does the same today. He meets us in our

God's not finished John 18:1-19:42 & Luke 24:1-12

2010-03-29T17:51:00.005-04:00

There's no better point in time to see the difference between human inability and God's ability than in Jesus' death and resurrection. Preparing for Easter its good to see Jesus death and resurrection as a whole story. If you read John 19-20 instead of just John 20:1-18 you'll hear both Jesus words to his friends from the cross "It's finished" and the joy Mary finds in meeting Jesus again. If you

1 Week in Time Luke 19:28-40

2010-03-22T17:23:00.002-04:00

Palm Sunday started an amazing week. 1 week that lays at the heart of our faith. The people rejoiced, waving Palms when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. He came as the crowd shouted hosanna; but the powerful could have mocked him riding in on a donkey instead of in a great chariot or on a mighty steed like an earthly king would have done.Jesus came to set people free and he soon became an enemy of the

Lazarus: walking dead or evidence of God's power? John 12:1-8

2010-03-18T18:21:00.003-04:00

Lent 5c2000 years ago people were talking about a man who'd been raised from the dead in Judea. He was dead and buried. He had a friend who could have done something about it. A friend who could have saved him and kept him alive; but his friend stayed away. The man was from Bethany, a little village not even an hour's walk over the Mount of Olives from the temple mountain in Jerusalem.The dead

New creatures and ambassadors 2nd Corinthians 5:16-21

2010-03-09T14:06:00.005-05:00

4th Sunday of Lent Year CPaul calls believers new creatures and ambassadors in his 2nd Letter to the church in Corinth. He viewed the world as both old and new all at once. For him Christ's dying and rising means new life is breaking in through faith into the old world. Some debate if Paul had a conversion to a new faith or a new call to serve the same God in a new way. What's clear in this

Living in Faith in a Dangerous World Luke 9:1-9

2010-03-01T18:18:00.004-05:00

Luke wrote down some of the questions people asked Jesus as they searched to better understand the tragedies of their day. We are no different 2000 years later. We want and seek out reasonable answers that satisfy our human sense of justice when tragedy happens. And Jesus responded to the questions not based in a human understanding of justice but by naming, out-loud, our need to repent of our

Jesus' 2 fold mission: to die and rise Luke 13:31-35

2010-02-24T16:29:00.004-05:00

2nd Sunday of Lent year CThis reading from Luke gives us a little hint to the real on the ground interaction between Jesus and the people arround him.Jesus had some disagreements with the Pharisees, still some of the Pharisees came with a warning: Herod, the king, was going to kill him. Jesus response to the news reveals his keen awareness of his mission and the world arround him. Jesus came

Surprising Light in the Dark Luke 9:28-43

2010-02-08T18:05:00.002-05:00

Tranfiguration/ Last Sunday of Epiphany: Year C Our Gospel reading today, Luke 9:28-43, is an invitation to take a moment for awe and wonder. This is a great story; if you have a chance just sit back and read it a couple of times. Luke tells it pretty plainly with 3 plot twists. The first surprise: Jesus and his friends headed up to a mountain top to pray. Luke tells us the crowds around Jesus

Fishing for People: Luke 5:1-11

2010-02-02T18:07:00.003-05:00

Epiphany 5C February 7, 2010It had been a long hard night out on the water. And Simon hadn't caught any fish while he and the others were out in the boat on Lake Galilee. Fishing wasn't a recreational sport for Simon, his partners, or for just about anybody else in Galilee. Fishing wasn't about story telling or communing with nature. Fishing was work. You didn't fish to get away from it all with

Love is the greatest 1 Corinthians 13:1-13:13

2010-01-25T13:23:00.005-05:00

Paul wrote to the church about gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 telling the early believer how critical each gift and individual was to the whole body of Christ. In chapter 13 he explained that all the gifts combined allow us to live together in faith, hope, and love.Many couples pick this chapter, most especially, as their wedding reading. How many times have couples heard these words believing them to

New posts resume next week

2010-01-20T23:12:00.003-05:00

Good EveningA reader stopped me and asked about a new post. I have none to offer this week.Last week my beloved and our youngest were in Tampa you can read about it in my other blog. The almost toddler and I checked out the town while my beloved attended a conference.This week my beloved had surgery and I am just getting back to full speed and trying to help out around the house.thanks to God

Fear not: God's made a promise Isaiah 43:1-7

2010-01-07T16:59:00.004-05:00

What good is a promise?I've been thinking some about promises this week. We make all kinds of promises. We make little promises, you know the ones that you can fulfill in a day or in a week. And then we make big ones that can only be kept over a whole lifetime.One time in church a mother turned to her fidgeting son in the middle of a long sermon and told him, “I promise you that if you keep on

Jesus is Here Luke 2

2009-12-22T18:26:00.003-05:00

Jesus is here. This is our story tonight. This is our story to tell. The first to hear the news were shepherds out at work that night. About 10 months ago we went to Bethlehem, not literally to the city in Pennsylvania or to the city in Judea. Bethlehem for us was in a hospital in Rochester not even 30 minutes drive from our home.It's amazing to see new life begin. It's a blessing for us to

The Mighty One has done great things Luke 1:39-55

2009-12-16T10:24:00.004-05:00

Thoughts on Luke for Advent 4C for the Mighty One has done great things for me,and holy is his name. Luke 1:49. NRSVA young woman was the first to speak these words praising of God. An angle came and told her don't be afraid. The angle came with news. She was going to have a child. Human logic says that things aren't supposed to be this way. She was only engaged and some how now she was pregnant.

Untamed and Unbridled: John and Jesus Luke 3:7-18

2009-12-10T16:24:00.004-05:00

John the Baptist was never tamed. He was never bridled. He was locked up in a dungeon and eventually beheaded; but he didn't stop speaking the truth while he still had breath. John told the world the Good News: God's kingdom is coming. He told everyone within earshot that it it's time right now to repent and be baptized. John spoke this word boldly to anyone who could listen.

Before Jesus there was a voice Luke 3:1-6

2009-11-30T16:42:00.005-05:00

In the book of the prophet Isaiah there are great words of comfort to the lost and hurting in the nation of Israel. The book tells of a day when a voice would cried out in the wilderness (read Isaiah 40 to hear it all). Prepare the way. Make ready, Prepare ye; prepare ye the way of the Lord. The writer of these words of comfort in Isaiah wasn't the one to make the promise. He was just a prophet:

Thanks for All Matthew 6:25-34 Thankgiving

2009-11-23T17:38:00.004-05:00

Jesus' invitation to live in faith and trust is deceptively simple. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25I didn't know just how deceptively simple those words were until I became a parent 7 years ago. It was Thanksgiving

Look: He is coming Revelations 1:4-8

2009-11-16T17:24:00.005-05:00

Look: He is coming... Our reading, from Revelations (in Greek Ἀποκάλυψις meaning the uncovering) this week inspires us to look and see the Glory of God.Many believe that these words were written by John the apostle. Others, including Luther insist that even the author of this remains shrouded in mystery. What we know plainly is that these words were meant first for the early church and that

No stone will be left unturned Mark 13:1-8

2009-11-10T16:25:00.002-05:00

There's an apocalyptic tone to Jesus' teachings in the Gospels that's hard to miss. As we read the scriptures it's clear that Jesus didn't come to just rubber stamp the status quo. Jesus' words prophesying disorder and reordering ring out clearly in Mark 13. His friend, looking at the temple, commented on how big the stones were. Jesus responded by predicting that the walls would come down and no

What God sees matters for us Mark 12:38-44; Hebrews 9:24-28

2009-11-04T12:42:00.003-05:00

The words that we read, both in Hebrews and Mark, this week let us glimpse things, not as we see them, but as God sees them. The writer of Hebrews shared a vision of what happened when Jesus came into the fullness of his glory,Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

Jesus wept, do you understand? John 11:32-42

2009-10-28T18:38:00.002-05:00

Jesus wept: do you understand?A wise man in our church told me that he's ready to preach a sermon if I ever ask him. He said the text for his sermon would be two words from John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” He said his sermon would be two words long too, “I understand.”Reading this week's gospel reveals something very human about Jesus meeting with Martha. Jesus' friends knew that he would have had the

Totally Free John 8:31-36

2009-10-22T16:31:00.003-04:00

Reformation Sunday 2009 You're free right now because of all that God has done.You're free to go right now ... or to stay. I hope you'll stay and keep reading; but if you don't want to you are free to go. You are free because of what Jesus has done for you and me and the whole world by dying and rising.Jesus came to set us free; radically and totally free. Free from sin, free from death, free

Who did it? He has... Isaiah 53:4-12

2009-10-12T11:20:00.002-04:00

"He did it." "Did not, she did it."Parents witness their shifting blame and passing accountability. One kid blames another. One hits another. The cycle keeps rolling.Yesterday morning, the children's choir lined up to sing. Right in front of the Altar Rail our twin 6 year old girls started pushing and shoving. I sat 15 feet away (in that uncomfortable cushy throne-like-chair reserved

For God this is possible Mark 10:17-31

2009-10-06T17:24:00.002-04:00

This Sunday's Gospel reading has me wondering about the rich and their place in the Kingdom of God. God's kingdom, Luther says, comes on its own, but we pray "Thy kingdom come" in hopes that it comes into being among us. God alone knows the needs of the world today. God alone sees the desperation It's been trendy, this past month, to make observations about the super rich and their role in our