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Thirsting for God
‘IT’S PERSONAL’ Blog For about four long weeks, during the hottest part of a hot summer, rain avoided Adams County in south-central Pennsylvania, where I live. The broiling sun toasted our lawns brown and turned the blades of grass brittle and spiky. The lush green of the trees dulled and the branches and stems drooped. […]
Don’t be Puttin’ on Airs!
August 29, 2010, 14th Sunday after Pentecost
Lectionary Reflection
Do folks looking at our congregations from the outside see us putting on airs as 21st century Christians, or do they see an open invitation to full inclusion and participation? This week’s gospel lesson invites us to examine ourselves. Are we up to the task?
Preaching what we don’t Practice?
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 22, 2010
Lectionary Reflection
Are you bound in your preaching and teaching by a lack of consistent practice or by the cares of your parish and the world? This week’s texts invite us to be healed, to delight in God, and to rejoice.
Mary Enters the Kingdom
LECTIONARY REFLECTION
Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010
Mary, Mother of Our Lord
Advent in August? The Scripture for the festival of the Assumption of Mary takes the Magnificat out of its Christmasy context. Amid Lukan readings in Ordinary Time, it speaks even more loudly about God’s agenda.
Peace, Walls, and Fractured-Faith Forecasting
Lectionary Reflection
August 15, 2010, 12th Sunday after Pentecost
“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall” says the narrator in Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall.” Could that “something” be the gospel? We humans build walls that Jesus is in the business of shattering, but there is still pain and cost. How do we preach this text without throwing up additional walls?
“Ready, Set, Go!”
Lectionary Reflection
11th Sunday after Pentecost, August 8, 2010
As Christians, we need not live our lives steeped in fear and anxiety about what may happen. Instead we are called to be ready, to fully invest in faithful discipleship, and to live the good news so that all may see and know the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Lessons from a Happy Closet ala Audrey: Round Two
‘Just Living’ Blog
Our blogger still aspires to simplify her wardrobe ala Audrey Hepburn’s classic style. Progress is happening, but even this aspect of “closet” stewardship is more process than destination.
Be Ye Neither Hot nor Cold—Just Air-Conditioned!
‘Just Living’ Blog
Summertime…and the living is, well hot and humid. Instead of cranking the AC a few degrees cooler, our blogger is turning the thermostat up and considering the impact of being cool on the planet and her neighbors.
Problematic Preaching about Bigger Barns
Lectionary Reflection
August 1, 2010, 10th Sunday after Pentecost
How do we preach about the freedom in Christ that allows us to fling wide the barn doors and let go of our “stuff” and resources? This week’s text from Luke’s gospel offers a fine albeit problematic opportunity for the preacher who is willing to take some risks.
Daily Bread: Enough for you, for the Community, and for the World
Lectionary Reflection for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 25, 2010
What does the petition “Give us each day our daily bread” mean to the individual disciple and to the Body of Christ? This week’s gospel offers a good opportunity to reflect on these words, on stewardship, and on the concept of “enough.”
