When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but …
Everlasting
Is anything more everlasting than God's love? Jeremiah speaks from his heart in chapter 31, in the midst of the Book of Consolation (likely chapters 30-33). The book of Jeremiah consists of lots of judgment language, so these chapters are a necessary relief, a breather and place to lean on God's promises. For God doesn't …
Steadfast
Is there anything as steadfast as God's love? Throughout our lives, we return to God each day, a thousand times, a million times, and every time God meets us with abundant mercy and blows the Spirit into our hearts, again and again, over and over, until we become the dust that God used to create …
Grief, not Guilt
Last week my 7-year-old son was indulging in the evening crazies at our house, when spontaneous dance parties and toddler tumbling break out (in this unending winter, they’ve been happening on the regular—almost as much as picking and fighting and screaming and tattling). He ran up to me, panting, and begged me to pick him …
Star Story #1
I've been collecting "star stories" from the people of congregation I serve, and I'm delighted to start sharing them here. Here is the first, from a woman: My star word is peace. I thought it was appropriate considering all the stress I feel like I've been dealing with. I keep the star at my desk …
Star Words
I love the new year. The sense of starting fresh, the feeling of moving forward, the focus on what's ahead. Resolutions (I prefer the word intentions) can be energizing and fun. We create goals for ourselves--improving our physical health, mending broken relationships, finally finishing that stuck project, traveling to that place we've always wanted to …
My Advent Prayer for You
You, rushing in the frantic panic days before Christmas, scratching final gifts off your gift-giving list, May the church provide quiet, calm, and respite. You, lovingly carting your children to and from activity after activity, baking cookies for event after event, leaning over final before-Christmas homework assignments, painting the winter calendar with tournaments, games, concerts …
A Sermon About Showing Up
Text: Luke 23:33-43 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[ Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]]And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood …
Happy Facebook Birthday
Facebook birthdays are now a thing. Birthdays once consisted of small gatherings of family and a few friends, Facebook users now enjoy birthdays full of greetings from friends far and wide, present and past, old and new, close and acquaintance. Today's my birthday. This morning, I opened my Facebook page to many warm birthday greetings …
272 Words
Since November 19 is the anniversary of The Gettysburg Address, a preaching challenge went around pastor circles last week (led by MaryAnn McKibben Dana) to write a 272-word sermon. I had fun writing it, and it worked out well because I ended up with no voice this morning due to a cold! Here it is: Text: …
Narrating Grace 