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