CXXXV The Wonder of Creation (8/7) Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind… “where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth.” (Job 38:1, 4; read Job 38-41) Remember the wisdom of Psalm 8, “when I look at the heavens, the worlds, you have created, what are humans that God is mindful of them?” There are times we are filled with awe and wonder, when we ponder the nature of the universe. No one can fully... Read more
CXXXII A Sheer Silence (8/4) God was not in the earthquake, and God was not in the fire, but then there was the sound of sheer silence. (I Kings 11:12; read I Kings 11:11-14) God is present in all things – the majestic and the modest, the flamboyant and the fragile, the awesome and the unnoticed. In today’s scripture, Elijah is on the run. Queen Jezebel has a bounty out for him and he is terrified. He doubts his mission... Read more
CXXXI Scarcity or Abundance (8/3) Elijah said to the widow of Zarephath, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring to me…The jar of the meal was not emptied, nor did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of God spoken by Elijah. (I Kings 17:13, 16; read I Kings 17:8-16) Elijah asks for a meal from a widow and her son. She initially... Read more
CXXXX “Listening for God” (8/2) God called, “Samuel, Samuel” and Samuel responded, “Here I am…Speak for I am listening” (Samuel 3:4, 10; read Samuel 3:1-10) We live in a God-filled world. Inspiration can come at any time. Guidance can arise in any encounter. When God calls, you’re likely to receive a mission. Young Samuel hears the voice of God, and responds “Here I am. I’m listening.” God is still speaking in this time of pandemic. There is much pain and... Read more
CXXIX (8/1) Looking toward the far horizon “Although you may view the land from a distance – you shall not enter it…I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.” (Genesis 32:52; 34:4) Moses can’t enter the promised land. As a result of the emerging nation’s failure to follow God’s way, he will not be able to fully fulfill his vocation. He can see the far horizon, but he will not inhabit the... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – August 9, 2020 – The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33 Today’s passages probe the nature of divine providence in our lives. Is God the sole cause of the events of our lives or does God work within apparently random and possibly malevolent acts to bring about the best possibilities? Even though God does not choose these events, does God work “in all things” for God and even... Read more
CXXVIII Am I My Sibling’s Keeper? (7/31) God said to Cain, “where is your brother, Abel?” And, Cain responded, “I do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) That is the question, isn’t it? Are we responsible for our siblings’ wellbeing? Do our actions bring beauty or sorrow, and life or death? Do they help or hurt? Of course, we don’t see ourselves as the children of Cain, who killed his brother. We are not responsible for the... Read more
CXXVII What Do You Say to a Burning Busy? (7/30) “Take off your shoes for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Genesis3:5) We are taking a second day with Moses’ encounter with God. Over forty years ago, when I was doing my pastoral internship with George Tolman at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tucson, Arizona, Pastor Tolman reported a curious typo in his sermon, instead of typing “burning bush,” he typed “burning busy.” It... Read more
CXXV Wrestling with God (7/28) Jacob was left alone and wrestled with a person until daybreak. (Genesis 32:24; read Genesis 32:22-32) Jacob wrestled with a divine being and did not let go of this Mysterious Nocturnal Being until he received a blessing. As day began, Jacob’s wrestling partner departed and Jacob goes forth, a new person, but with a limp. These days, many of us are wrestling with God. Our world has changed and we no longer have a sense... Read more
CXXIV. God is in this place! (7/27) Then Jacob woke from his sleep, and said, “Surely God is in this place and I did not know it.” (Genesis 28:16; read Genesis 28:10-17) Jacob falls asleep and has a vision. Angels everywhere. Angels climbing up from earth to heaven and back again. And then a promise that he will be the parent of a great nation. He will be the recipient of God’s blessing and that blessing will bless others. Upon... Read more
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