I am a firm believer in the holy synchronicities of life. As I read the last words of Karen Beattie’s Rock-Bottom Blessings, I looked up and for the first time noticed – I had been living in our new home on Cape Cod for two months! – that my wife had placed an art piece above of our front door, proclaiming Veni Sancte Spiritus, “Come Holy Spirit.” At same moment, I remembered a saying from the English mystic, Julian of... Read more
Paula Huston’s A Land without Sin is a real page turner. I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t know where it was going or if it would be resolved. Reading it was an adventure of the spirit, joining drama, suspense, ethics, and spirituality. Amid the many trajectories of this book, the one that spoke to me was the “impossible possibility” of forgiveness. Vengeance is always a possibility in a sinful world. We want an eye for an eye, whether it... Read more
Lectionary Relections for September 1, 2013 Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 81:1, 10-16 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14 Creative Interdependence This week’s lectionary calls us to creative interdependence. We cannot thrive, or even survive, without recognizing and acting upon our sense of interdependence with the world around us. Authentic creation emerges from healthy relatedness, not pick-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps rugged individualism. In claiming our debt of interdependence and the role of others, most especially God, in our successes, our successes will benefit our families,... Read more
Although I come from the progressive theological and political wing of the Christian family, I always appreciate Os Guinness’ reflections. I am very appreciative of his new book The Global Public Square. Though I take a slightly different path, I find his reflections typically spot on in their assessment of social and cultural trends. As a pastor of a congregation within the United Church of Christ (South Congregational, Centerville, MA), which seeks to welcome people wherever they are on life’s journey, I... Read more
Lectionary Reflections for August 25, 2013 Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17 God’s Providence: Abstract or Concrete God’s call of Jeremiah is one of my favorite Biblical stories. I can relate to the prophet’s dilemma: the prophet is uncertain of his vocation and protests his inexperience and fallibility. He doesn’t think he is up to the task that God has called him to. God responds to his fears, and mine, by saying: “I have been moving in your... Read more
There’s always a giant blocking our future; but, we have the resources to respond with creativity and persistence to overcome what stands in our way. These obstacles can be Goliath-like in nature, but God has given us five stones and the example of the young shepherd David to respond to any crisis that stands in our way. Certain practices will give us the focus, persistence, and power to defeat these giants just as David defeated Goliath with five small stones. ... Read more
Lectionary Reflections for August 18, 2013 Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 Hebrews 11:19-12:2 Luke 12:49-56 What is God’s role in natural disasters that devastate whole cities and nations? It seems that every time there is a human-made or natural disaster, certain televangelists and conservative spiritual leaders have a field day. They directly inform us why innocent lives were destroyed and the source is usually God. Remember 9/11? A number of public preachers identified the terrorist attack with God’s withholding of... Read more
Today’s readings describe impossible possibilities. Isaiah challenges the people to go from apathy to awareness and transform their worship from ritual to justice-seeking. Hebrews tells the story of Abraham and Sarah following God’s promises that, although they are childless, they will become the parents of a nation. Jesus asks his followers to stay awake in every season of life, and sell their possessions to have resources to give to the poor. As a pastor, professor, and householder, I don’t know which of these... Read more
I applaud Preston Sprinkle’s Fight: A Christian Case for Nonviolence. He presents a timely word to Christians who wrap the Bible in the American flag and support the USA’s military adventurism, when led by Republican presidents, whole-heartedly, claiming divine sanction for our militaristic policies. His words invite us to take a second look at violence as a way of solving diplomatic disagreements. He also reminds us that Jesus’ radical hospitality embraced foe as well as friend. At the very least, national war-making must be... Read more
Mark Scandrette’s Free: Spending Your Time and Money on What Matters Most is a testimony to simple living. It is also, to the surprise of some readers, I suspect, a hymn to abundant life. The heart of the text can be found in Scandrette’s Prayer of Abundance (23), in which the affirmation that we are cared for by an abundant provider inspires us to bless the world by our actions and way of life. According to John’s Gospel, Jesus’ mission statement... Read more
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