Faith in a Time of Pandemic – The Darkest Valley

Last updated on: June 12, 2020 at 5:20 am By Bruce Epperly

LXXVII Walking Through the Darkest Valley (6/12) Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me. (Psalm 23:4; read Psalm 23 in its entirety.) As I child, I memorized Psalm 23, using the King James Version as my model. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” Some days, I feel like I am surrounded by darkness and... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – The Lord is my Shepherd

Last updated on: June 11, 2020 at 4:45 am By Bruce Epperly

LXXVI. The Lord is My Shepherd (6/11) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…God restores my soul (Psalm 23:1, 3; read Psalm 23 in its entirety) Each weekday morning our Zoom Morning Prayer Service reads Psalm 23 as its anchor scripture. Psalm 23 grounds the service and gives context for the gospel of the day. Psalm 23 is a powerful witness because it recognizes that God is present in the darkness as well as light. In times of... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Forsaken

Last updated on: June 10, 2020 at 5:02 am By Bruce Epperly

LXXV. Forsaken! (6/10) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? O God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night but find no rest. (Psalm 22:1-2, read Psalm 22 in its entirety.) Many of us feel God forsaken these days. We don’t know the social and personal context of Psalm 22. Some commentators believe it was written during a time of national upheaval, when David’s future as a leader was in doubt and his... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – In a Time of Trouble

Last updated on: June 9, 2020 at 5:32 am By Bruce Epperly

LXXIV In a Time of Trouble (6/9) The Lord answer you in a time of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you!…May God grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans. (Psalm 20:1, 4) Most of us are privileged. We have homes in which to shelter. We have enough food. We don’t have to work in unsafe places. We are, for the most part, safe as we consider how to respond to the “reopening of... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – May My Word and Meditations be Holy

Last updated on: June 8, 2020 at 5:57 am By Bruce Epperly

LXXIII. May My Words and Meditations be Holy and Loving (6/8) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my Rock and Salvation. (Psalm 19:14) Words matter! Truth Matters! Facts matter! Faith requires a commitment to love, truth, and fact! The Psalmist is reminding us to notice the relationship between our hearts, minds, and words. Our inner realities become manifest in our language and behavior. The Psalmist calls us to... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – God’s Glory is Everywhere

Last updated on: June 7, 2020 at 5:24 am By Bruce Epperly

LXXII God’s Glory is Everywhere (6/7) “The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1; read Psalm 19:1-6) We live in a God-filled world. Every moment reflects God’s glory and wisdom. The infinite and the intimate give witness to God’s creative wisdom over the past 14 billion years, giving birth to our cells and our cells. Yes, there is pandemic, and there is fear and death. In light of our nation’s violence, there is also pain and protest. But... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – The Solid Rock

Last updated on: June 6, 2020 at 6:23 am By Bruce Epperly

LXXI. Upon a Solid Rock I Stand (6/6) God is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. (Psalm 18:1; read Psalm 18:1-3) hen I was a child, we often sang “Rock of Ages” in church. I liked the hymn because it made sense to me. Rocks were solid and strong, and I enjoyed skipping stones. I knew God wasn’t a rock, but that God was strong and faithful and would protect me from harm. And, so this morning, I sang a... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – The Challenge of Patience

Last updated on: June 5, 2020 at 5:32 am By Bruce Epperly

LXX. When Patience is Challenging (6/5) How long, O God? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? (Psalm 13:1-2; read Psalm 13 in its entirety.) The Psalms cover the full range of emotions and religious feelings. God is ever-present and yet there are moments of divine absence not unlike those of the fabled Job, who... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Refuge in God

Last updated on: June 4, 2020 at 5:41 am By Bruce Epperly

LXIX Refuge in God (6/4) In God I take refuge. (Psalm 11:1; read Psalm 11 in its entirety.) Life is upside down. The righteous are troubled. The future is in doubt. In such moments, the Psalmist remembers that our hope is in God. This is not retreat, withdrawal, or denial, but immersion in the challenging realities of life, in the realities of pandemic and protest, in national uncertainty, and discovering that beyond tragedy is grace and deliverance. What does it... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Second Sunday of Pentecost – June 14, 2020

Last updated on: June 3, 2020 at 7:49 pm By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Second Sunday after Pentecost – June 21, 2020 Genesis 18:1-15, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, Romans 5:1-8, Matthew 9:35-10:8 This Sunday’s readings connect hospitality, healing, and mission, whether we are in ordinary time, facing a pandemic, or in the middle of protesting injustice. They ask us and our congregations to expect surprises when we align ourselves with God’s vision for our lives. God’s energy and power move through all creation, however, when we are awakened to God’s... Read more

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