Read Romans 12: 1-8 (MSG) and Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV) Some scriptures preach themselves and make the preacher’s job easy. Others take some hard work, and others are deceptive. They may seem to have an easy message at face value but after spending more time with them, things just get more and more obscure. Like a … [Read more…]
Read Matthew 15: 10-28 When our son was in high school one of the teachers interested some students in starting a debate team. The students spent time with an issue and researched pros and cons so that they could support one stance or another depending on which side they were given. Our son learned the … [Read more…]
Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 17: 1-7,15 When I was young, there was a show that came on late Saturday afternoons on a local TV station: Wrestling from Roanoke! These were professional wrestlers who came to Roanoke to entertain crowds of people in an arena as well as on TV. They acted like they hated each other … [Read more…]
Scripture focus: Psalm 139: 1-12, 23-24 We as a society aren’t good at being alone with ourselves. (This isn’t breaking news!) Many of you are retired, I know, and live by yourselves or with your spouse, but I imagine there was an adjustment period between the ending of your or your spouse’s professional vocation and … [Read more…]
Focus scripture: Matthew 11: 28-30: Come to me, all you that are wearyand are carrying heavy burdens,and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;for I am gentle and humble in heart,and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Anyone weary? … [Read more…]
Psalm 13 (NRSV)How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me?How long must I bear pain in my soul,and have sorrow in my heart all day long? Our cry goes up: “have you forgotten us God? Have you forgotten me? Why haven’t you answered my prayers?” Do … [Read more…]
Read Psalm 86: 1-0, 16-17 Song for the day: His Eye Is on the Sparrow Has anyone not felt discouraged recently? Sometimes I feel discouraged, especially these days. We don’t need to think hard to come up with discouraging things. It’s been difficult to keep worry and sadness at bay. Not being able to be … [Read more…]
Bird watching brings me pleasure – it is relaxing, it hones observation skills, it nudges me to find out more about a particular bird’s habits or song or flight patterns or nest. It’s an innocent low-cost pastime. I’m on the email list of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (one of the few non-church related emails … [Read more…]
Sunday June 7, 2020 is designated Peace with Justice Sunday in the United Methodist Church. Use this link for some prayers you can use as part of your devotional time. Read Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 God created and created and created and declared each creation “Good!”, and on the seventh day, God rested from … [Read more…]
Read today’s lectionary Pentecost! A day of wind and flame as we celebrate the dramatic way the Holy Spirit was poured out for all people. When we speak of wind and flame or fire, we speak of things that can disrupt. A fire can bring cozy warmth to an evening when people gather around a … [Read more…]
Our journey toward abundant living is like walking a spiritual labyrinth repeatedly from an ever deepening inner space. We walk toward the center to be transformed by God’s love; then we walk outward to transform our small space in the world by reflecting God’s love. There is no intention to trick us or get us … [Read more…]
