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Slow-Cooker Spirituality

IT’S PERSONAL Blog When I lived in in Chicago, my neighbors cooked real barbecue. Not the “sloppy joes” that passes for “barbecue” in Pennsylvania (where I live), or the 15-minutes-on-the grill treatment that most of us do at backyard cookouts. I’m talking about nice cuts of meat barbecued s-l-o-w-l-y to tasty perfection. An African American […]

A Minimalist Approach to Ministry?

Lectionary Reflection
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 4, 2010
Is Jesus advocating a minimalist approach to ministry in speaking to his followers in this week’s passage from Luke’s gospel? How does this apply to Christians today?

SNAP to it Food Stamp Challenge–Day 25

‘Just Living’ Blog
Today our blogger interviews Kate Raiford, coordinator of Angel Food Ministries at North Shore Fellowship (PCA) and learns how personal experience led one woman to action in the name of Christ.

“What are you doing here, (Insert your name)?”

Lectionary Reflection for June 20, 2010
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Things weren’t going so hot for Elijah, prophet of God. In fact, he was so undone that he asked God to let him die. Instead, God asks a question. How would you answer if God asked you the same question?

The Poor Man’s Lamb (or, how power and injustice make cozy bedfellows)

Lectionary Reflection for June 13, 2010
Third Sunday after Pentecost
This week’s lessons flow with a strong undercurrent that considers the relationship between power and injustice. Fortunately for us, Jesus models a different use of power.

How to Stay Spiritually Healthy

‘IT’S PERSONAL’  BLOG How are you meeting your spiritual needs? How are you nourishing your soul? As a pastor I ask these questions a lot, but especially to folks who seem stressed out, overly busy, burdened by everyday problems, or who seem to be drifting away from church. They are also good questions to keep […]

The Many Faces of Mercy

Lectionary Reflection for Sunday, June 6, 2010
Second Sunday after Pentecost Year C
How about taking a slightly different approach to this week’s texts? Consider as the key point that God does provide and mercy has a face–yours.

The prayerful pose

Press you hands together, palm-to-palm, finger-to-finger, thumb-to-thumb. Go ahead. Do it now, and hold it for a few seconds. Are you doing it? Not a very natural pose, is it? In fact, it feels kind of awkward, right? At least it does for me. The position forces your hands to straighten against their natural curvature. […]

What to do with more time than money? Help yourself to good health!

‘Just Living’ Blog

The way to good health is often simpler than we like to think. Read on for tips and ideas that are inexpensive and accessible for almost everyone.

The Divine Ensemble

LECTIONARY REFLECTION for May 30, 2010
Trinity Sunday, Year C

Finding an image to communicate the mystery of the Holy Trinity is a daunting task, and one that will never yield a perfect result. However, this writer gives it one more stab, borrowing an image from the actor’s toolkit.