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It’s Complicated
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost October 7, 2012 What are mere mortals that you should be mindful of them, human beings that you should care for them? Psalm 8:4 Life is messy. It’s rarely as orderly, prettified, and sensible as we delude ourselves into thinking it is. The creation is both beautiful and broken, or as […]
Tithing with Justice
Here’s a thoughtful article by Chris Haw about the biblical practice of tithing and its relationship to justice. Posted on the Two Cents blog, you are invited to join the conversation. (Photo by SAiM)
Rx for Broken Lives and Faltering Faith
As the most obese or overweight people on the planet, Americans know we need to do something about our poor health. Fortunately, the medical community is responding with remedies, both complex and commonsense. But is our spiritual health much better? Fortunately, the Bible tells us clearly how to get into good spiritual shape!
A Righteous Harvest
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Lectionary Reflection
September 23, 2012
Just as the effort of the grower and pickers is reflected in the bins of lovely, fragrant fruit, so are the works of our life reflected in the fruits of our deeds and the growth of our faith. How’s the harvest coming along in the orchard of your faith community? (Photo by AlicePopkorn, Creative Commons License)
The Gratitude Attitude
Lectionary Reflection, 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B
September 16, 2012
This week’s psalm offers the perfect opportunity to talk about living with an attitude of gratitude–a necessary precursor to effective stewardship. (Photo by barbicane used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
Looking for New Stewardship Resources?
Check out the educational offerings from Everence, a ministy of the Mennonite Church USA. You’ll find free downloadable curricula for adults, church leaders, youth, and even a Spanish language resource. There’s also a list of recommended books, calculators, and personal finance information, too. (Photo by opensourceway used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
The One Hundred Percent
Lectionary Reflection for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 9, 2012 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? James 2:1 Have you heard about the one percent or their financial opposites the ninety-nine percent? Chances are unless you’ve been living beneath a rock, […]
Living the Life not the Lie
Lectionary Reflection
In her wonderful book Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott reminds readers that “reality is unforgivably complex.†Her words ring true, especially this week when thinking about the lessons appointed for the upcoming Sunday. Do you ever long for your life to be simple, your decisions clear-cut, the issues of life laid out tidily in black and white? Yet life is messy. Life is not tidy and trouble-free.
We are What We Eat
Lectionary Reflection for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, August 19, 2012
If it’s true that we are what we eat, we who claim to be Christ’s disciples better whet our appetites and feast on Jesus. Why? So that the divine presence and promise infuses our very pores like garlic, and so that we can share this everlasting meal with others.
Good for Body, Mind, & Soul
Most of us know that faith and participation in a worshiping community are good for the soul, but scientific evidence agrees that religion is good for the body and mind, too. Click here for a slide show of eight ways religion impacts your life. (Photo by special Joel used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
