Perhaps the way this text speaks into our lives is help us see some extremes so that we might instead choose balance between our doing and our waiting, to be better in-tune with the God who is here speaking to us and calling us.

When we see our fellow humans as beloved children of God, as our beloved neighbors, our service to our neighbor is no longer about justifying ourselves to God, it’s no longer about what we should do to gain God’s love… it’s about living into God’s love that is already poured out.  It’s about seeing all people as God sees all people: in care and compassion.

Today, we are take a brief break from our typical worship to come outside with the barebones necessities to enjoy the singing of creation, as the Psalm says today, and we are called to proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom of God with all that we have - sometimes that’s a lot and sometimes it’s not much.

I commit to you to do my best at getting out of the way of Jesus’s own words to let them work on all of us so we might see him bringing about the unstoppable love of God for all of creation.

In this summer newsletter, I want to focus on my hope that what we see and hear as “wall-to-wall coverage” on our TVs and social media is not the full truth. I also call upon you to have hope. Our hope is found in Christ Jesus. The one we acknowledge as savior of the world.

As I write this I am preparing for my first pastoral sabbatical, a gift that some congregations provide their pastors once every seven years...

I begin this Ascension Sunday with a brief story from an historian… John Meacham… He has crossed my path in the past few years.  You may...

While we long for the fullness of shalom that awaits the world, we also know that our divine Advocate is present right here and now. Supporting us. Comforting us. Inspiring us to greater levels of trust and love and growth. We have the gift of the Spirit now, as the Advocate for our lives. Thanks to be God.

Praise be to God for showing us that Resurrection Life is here and now. Praise be to God for the promise that death is swallowed up by life. Praise be to God that healing and wholeness were brought to us through Jesus Christ and that we continue to experience Christ’s presence with us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let us praise this truly awesome Triune God!

The stories of Peter and Paul tell us that discipleship involves determination and commitment; as well as humility and discernment. And the Revelation text reminds us that following Jesus will likely involve suffering in some way. And so this Easter season let us all pray that we may be empowered to live into our life of discipleship. Let us pray for God to guide us and give us the determination and the lesson in humility he gave Peter and Paul.

Today we celebrate that the Way of peace and forgiveness and love has overcome the way of hate and violence and cruelty.  Today we celebrate that this Way of Jesus Christ has defeated death, freed us from sin, and redeemed our broken world.   Christ is Risen!

As we begin Holy Week one week from today, we remember God’s love for us.

Exploring the richness of the Prodigal Son text, with real life examples.

Cece and her sunflower! A few years ago I was visiting my brother and sister-in-law and niece and nephew one spring afternoon.  It was a...

Thanks be to God for His commitment to the covenant, for the salvation story of humanity, for the salvation we have in Jesus Christ.

The season of Lent is upon us.  One of my Lenten disciplines this year is to read the daily email meditations of Franciscan priest Father...

This Lent, let us follow Jesus’ example in discerning our own call and spend time intentionally seeking to align our wills with God’s.

The Holy Spirit is at work making each of us a bright light-bearer for Christ.

Friends, I’m afraid we’re going to try a few veggies...

That is my mantra for the Church in this time that feels so divided and tenuous.