I was raised in small town America, where Memorial Day meant parades, flag waving, flowers at the cemetery, and honoring of those who died in service to our nation. It was the Eisenhower era and we were patriotic, but not jingoistic. We loved our nation, but we recognized that others loved their nation as well. We waved the flag and affirmed that America was at its best when we worked together for a common cause that transcended our race and... Read more
LVIII A POLITICIAN WHO GOT IT RIGHT (5/23) Don’t neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2) In a time of crisis with the collapse of national unity on the horizon, the greatest of presidents Abraham Lincoln asserted “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory . . . will yet swell . . .... Read more
ALTARS EVERYWHERE (5/22) Then the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and invoked the name of the LORD. And Abram journeyed... Read more
LXVI. EYES ON JESUS (5/21) Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him. (Matthew 14:28-31) Keep your eyes on Jesus! That’s the lesson... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – Pentecost Sunday – May 31, 2020 Bruce G. Epperly Acts 2:1-2Psalm 104:24-34, 35b I Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 7:37-39 and John 20:19-23 Pentecost invites us to imagine the unimaginable and to awaken to the transrational and transcendent. Though we may have “unimaginable fatigue” given the reality of the pandemic, we may also find guidance by looking to the mystical and transformational. The back to back celebrations of Ascension and Pentecost surely give mainline and progressive Christians something... Read more
LXV. WRESTLING WITH GOD (5/20) Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:24-26) These days we are doing a... Read more
LXIV. JACOB’S DREAM (5/19) God was in this place – and I did not know it. (Genesis 28:16) In the midst of a personal crisis, Jacob the patriarch goes to a quiet place to reflect on his life. Jacob has been a shady dealer, cheating his brother Esau out of his paternal blessing. Recognizing that his brother is seeking vengeance, Jacob wisely leaves town to search for a wife among his father’s relatives. He’s afraid of what may happen to... Read more
LXIII. CENTERING YOUR SPIRIT (5/18) Be Still and Know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10) Although many of us are a bit monastic these days, sheltering in place, the world is still very much with us. Just a few minutes of the news and the uncertainty of reopening the nation and churches disturbs our spirits. We are definitely in a storm and though the waves appear to be calming, there is no certainty that the storm has fully passed over.... Read more
LXII. WHEN YOU CAN’T SEE THE CHURCH STEEPLE (5/17) Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) The other morning, fog shrouded the beach. It is my practice that when I am walking the return path from Covell’s toward Craigville Beach to look for the steeple of our church. I use that steeple as a call to prayer for the people of the church and the congregation’s mission.... Read more
LXI. THE STARS THAT DON’T MOVE (5/16) Great is God’s faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:23) The story is told of the night of the falling stars. Unfamiliar with today’s science, the villagers thought the sky was falling. They ran to and fro in panic, calling out alarm, until they came to the home of the village’s wise woman and man. In frenzy, they shouted, “We are doomed, the sky is falling.” The wise couple pauses, gazed thoughtfully at the heavens, and then... Read more
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