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Free Will? What Free Will?
This Lent has taught me that Martin Luther was correct: We have no free will. Our wills are thoroughly corrupted by sin and our selfish desires. I had given up sweets for Lent, but then someone gave me homemade candy. Free will? Not a chance!
Casting Call for Passion/Palm Sunday & Holy Week
The story of Christ’s passion is compelling, but all too often we hear it as just that—a story told on the Sunday before Easter, a mere blip on life’s radar screen somewhere between the hosannas and the Easter lamb with mint jelly. This year, make a dramatic improvement.
A Question of Baptismal Identity
Lectionary Reflection: January 5, 2009
For Jesus baptismal identity meant a journey to the cross and not just a Kodak moment. How are you called to be a steward of your baptismal identity, and what does that mean for each moment of your life?
Sheep, Goats and Jesus in Disguise
Lectionary Reflection: November 17, 2008
“Just what kind of king are we serving anyway? Jesus surely doesn’t fit the monarch mold for the Western world. In fact, he doesn’t fit the CEO mold, the CFO mold, or any other kind of mold.”
Spark a Conflagration of Light and Hope
Lectionary Reflection: November 3, 2008
We live in uncertain times fueled by economic disaster, war, poverty, and contentious politics. The easiest thing to do would be to circle the proverbial wagons and hunker down with passing thanks that we at least have roofs over our heads.
Living Simply ≠Simply Living
Lectionary Reflection: September 15, 2008
Now nine months into the experiment of buying nothing new, our columnist has learned many important lessons about justice, equality and human nature.
Drawing Big Circles & Coloring Outside the Lines
Lectionary Reflection: September 1, 2008
In the unfortunate end, what it means to be church is skewed by the limits of narrow minds, shortsightedness, and fear.
Stewardship Notes from the Road
Just Living: May 5, 2008
Going on vacation doesn’t mean you leave stewardship issues at home. If anything, vacation time means facing even more decisions about use of one’s resources and care of God’s good creation.
Living Stones
Lectionary Reflection: April 14, 2008
Our columnist is now a quarter way through her year of buying nothing new, and she keeps receiving new awarenesses.
Are You an Undercover Lover?
LECTIONARY REFLECTION FOR MAY 2, 2010
It’s easy to be a concealed Christian, an undercover lover, loving in ways that are comfortable for you and for me. It’s easy to sing the old hymn “I love to tell the Story†when everyone else knows the story and lukewarm is the temperature of the day. Jesus asks—no commands—more of his disciples.