Browsing by Sharron R. Blezard
Faithful & Fruitful Folk
Lectionary Reflection for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, July 10
It is in this God-given, God-near faithfulness that we learn to be fruitful and are equipped to tend the vineyards and orchards of God’s good creation. By chewing on the Divine word and letting it shape our hearts for justice, mercy, and love, we do the works God calls us to, and we become neighbors. (Photo: d-olwen-dee, Creative Commons)
Steward Your “Self” this Summer
Too often vacations are a source of stress when they should be good stewardship of our bodies and spirits. Dr. Christine Carter offers three simple steps to taking a real vacation that will renew and refresh. (Photo: 19melissa68, Creative Commons)
Tools for Engagement
Looking for ways to better engage your congregation on Sunday morning? Check out these six simple suggestions, and choose even one to get started. (Photo: Brayden McLean, Creative Commons)
Interdependence Day
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, July 3, 2016
Even though our national holidays are certainly worth celebrating and the abundance and bounty of this land worth giving thanks for, we must never forget that celebrating our interdependence in Christ is far more important. (Photo: jqpubliq, Creative Commons)
Public Stewards. Public Life.
Stewardship is part of every aspect of our lives, and responding faithfully to often polarizing issue in politics and culture can be a challenge. Public Faith in Action, a timely new release by Miroslav Volf and Ryan McAnnally-Linz, is designed to help people of faith both talk about tough issues and take action. (Photo: Michael […]
Freed to be Free—Really Free
Lectionary Reflection for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, June 26, 2016
Perhaps being good stewards of love is what we need in these tumultuous times. We would do well to cultivate those Spirit fruits in hopes of providing an alternative voice and way in the midst of the rancor of this current election cycle. By serving one another, we serve God. (Photo: Mervi Eskelinen, Creative Commons)
Stewards of Faith in Troubling Times
Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, June 19, 2016
Maybe this week we need to remind one another of what it means to be good stewards of faith in times of trouble and tragedy. How can we, as people of faith, change the narrative of woe and shift the focus to love of God and love of neighbor? (Photo:
Why God Doesn’t Do Division
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, June 12, 2016
The good news this week is that God doesn’t do division. It’s just not in the Creator’s wheelhouse. Jesus, the Word made flesh, is all about addition and erasing the lines of division between “us†and “them.†These are words we sorely need to hear and live. (Photo: Chad Kainz, Creative Commons))
Called from Death to Life
Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, June 5, 2016
We never know how God’s going to show up and change our trajectory. Just look at how the lives of the widows were altered. The best thing we can do is be ready to give it all up and give it all away for the sake of the gospel. In dying to that which really doesn’t matter anyway, we are freed in Christ to truly live. (Photo: Lucas H S Gulmaraes, Creative Commons)
What Gospel?
Second Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, May 29, 2016
What kind of letter might Paul pen to 21st century western Christians today with concern for false gospels? Would it be as strongly worded as his missive to the Galatian church? (Photo: Ted, Creative Commons)
