Luke 1:41-56 Today, I must preach on a mystery that I know little about and will never experience- the joy of being pregnant. I saw a woman recently nearing her delivery day. Her hands caressed her belly as she spoke, and she seemed to sparkle with delight. She had that glow which might be from … Continue reading Advent 3: Being Present with Joy
Advent 1 Mark 13: 24-37 December 3, 2023 Keep awake! Be alert! Big things are coming, cosmic shifting events. But honestly, I feel too wakeful, almost hyper-alert. I tire from being watchful. Sometimes, staying awake is hard, even with the best intentions. My college Ancient History class began at 8:00 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. … Continue reading Being Present With Hope
Matthew 25:31-46 Matthew’s Gospel loves pyrotechnics to make a point. The author saves the best fireworks for the grand finale: "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Pyrotechnics are great on July 4, or a Pink Floyd concert, monster truck rally, or Texas barbeque. But we … Continue reading Did You Notice?
A confounding parable about buried treasure and the failure of nerve. Matthew 25: 14-30 The parable of the talents is 2/3 awesome and 1/3 perplexing and even offensive. This perplexity is not from a mistake or flaw in the parable but the goal. You likely missed the point if you read a parable and think it … Continue reading Enter the Joy
Matthew 25:1-13 It's important to check your oil. I was working outside on a recent warm day and realized I needed to check the propane tank. I tapped the barrel and heard a hollow echo, and had a sinking feeling. The gauge was close to zero, and it was a Friday afternoon, so I couldn't … Continue reading Check Your Oil
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 A good obituary has a line that jumps off the page and helps you understand the meaning of a person's lifespan. Here are some of the best lines I found online: Singer Lou Reed's (Take a Walk on the Wild Side) obit said, "Lou was a prince and a fighter, and I know … Continue reading The Promise is Bigger Than Us
Psalm 46 Therefore, we will not fear. The Bible tells us 97 times to not live in fear. Our Christmas pageants begin with the angel Gabriel telling Mary not to be afraid. Later, angels tell shepherds not to fear, for they bring good news of great joy. In Luke's Gospel, Jesus says do not fear, … Continue reading Do Not Fear
Exodus 33:12-23 October 22, 2023 Moses says to God, "Let me see your glory." There was a moment when you sought a greater awareness of God's reality. You faced a difficult decision and needed wisdom. Feeling discouraged, you desired a hopeful sign. Amid grief or loneliness, you longed for a sense of meaning. After failure, … Continue reading I Really Want to See You, Lord
Exodus 32:1-14 October 13, 2002 Why would anyone want to worship a cow? I have seen a Golden Calf. At the Iowa State Fair, a sculptor is chosen annually to make a butter cow out of 600 pounds of butter. (That is enough for 19,200 slices of toast!). As an Iowa native, I have a … Continue reading Cow Worship
Exodus 17:1-7 October 1, 2023 "You are to strike the rock. Water will gush out of it, and the people will drink." Ex. 17:6 As we follow the exodus story through the wilderness, the plot is similar every week. There is an immense physical and environmental challenge to survival. They must cross the Red … Continue reading Gushing Waters
With all my soul 