Browsing by Sharron R. Blezard
Many are the Demons
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Reflection, June 23, 2013
What similarities do we share with the demoniac of this week’s gospel lesson? How are we like the citizens of that town? Do we ever resist healing? Read on for more thoughts about this week’s lessons. (Photo: Nina Matthews Photography, Creative Commons)
The Cost of Being a Christian
Christians love to blame social justice issues on large corporations, rich banks, corrupt governments, and our culture’s greedy obsession with money. But Westernized Christianity has quietly created an aristocratic population of its own, a “gated community†that only the most privileged and wealthy can afford to experience. (Photo (c) Dion Hinchcliffe, used by Creative Commons […]
Big Love
Lectionary Reflection for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Lectionary 11)
June 16, 2013
This week’s gospel lesson about the woman who washes Jesus’ feet with her tears raises a good question. Can we allow ourselves to be broken in order to be healed, to believe that in our pouring out we will be gathered into the Body of Christ and by our faith be set free? (Photo: © rolffimages – Fotolia.com)
I Get Knocked Down…
Time after Pentecost Lectionary 10 Reflection, June 9, 2013
A lot of really good stuff is happening in today’s lessons. From dis-ease and death to hope and healing, we have reason to rejoice and sing. We may get knocked down by life, but God will lift us up again. Scroll down for worship ideas and suggestions for time with children and youth. Photo: © raywoo – Fotolia.com
Sufficient
Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, June 2, 2013
We can learn a lot from Jesus’ encounter with the Roman centurion. Yes, this is a story about healing, but it is also a stewardship opportunity. We are sufficient in Christ, and in the Body of Christ we live lives of abundant sufficiency. Read on for ideas for preaching, worship, and time with children and youth. (Photo: © 2jenn – Fotolia.com)
In Good Company: Peace, Love, & Hope
Holy Trinity Sunday Lectionary Reflection, May 26, 2013
Instead of trying to use logic and reason to explain the concept of the Trinity, why not celebrate the love of God, the peace of Christ, and the amazing “hope that does not disappoint.” An extra helping of hope may be just what worshipers need to keep walking as disciples in this weary world. (Photo: © Christy Thompson – Fotolia.com)
Kindle
This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, when we hear the story of the early disciples gathered in Jerusalem, and God’s kindling of Spirit fire in their lives. Don’t let people think it’s something God did only once, oh-so-long ago. God continues to ignite flames of faith and passion in our midst today. (Photo by Matthew Venn, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
Second-hand Wise
Click here to read Leah Wise’s reflection on how shopping in thrift stores–made popular by Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis–can actually be a way to practice better stewardship and do justice. While you’re there, take a look at the other articles on the RELEVANT website. (Photo: adiything, Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
One for All, All for One
Lectionary Reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 12, 2013. Jesus calls the church, as diverse as we Christians are, to be one. That’s quite a challenge in today’s world, but let’s take it seriously.
Teaching Children to be Generous
Here’s an article from the Wall Street Journal that offers good tips for parents in any income bracket who want help their children become generous stewards of time, talent, and resources. (Photo: © Jaren Wicklund – Fotolia.com)
