The Adventurous Lectionary – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – August 19, 2018 I Kings 2:10-12; 3:13-14; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 This week’s readings focus on the interplay of divine and human wisdom. Human wisdom is grounded in divine creativity evidenced in the heavens above, the earth upon which we live, and the divine movements in our body, mind, and spirit. Alignment with divine wisdom – and not our own individualistic and self-interested projects – brings true joy and... Read more

With the release of the film Christopher Robin, I was reminded of a piece on “doing nothing” I wrote a few years ago, inspired by my book, “The Gospel According to Winnie the Pooh.” We can be productive without being busy and creative with creating crises. And, so I invite you to return to the 100 Aker Wood and wonder of simply being. One afternoon many years ago, Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh reflected about what happens when a... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – August 12, 2018 2 Samuel 8:5-9, 15, 31-33 Psalm 130 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35, 41-51 Today’s passages join challenge, hope, and grief. They join deep emotion with deep faith. We often live in the depths, feeling God-forsaken. Other times our own behaviors lead to alienation and brokenness in our personal and national lives. We may have to repent of the evils we’ve caused and the impact of our actions on... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – August 5, 2018 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a Psalm 51:1-12 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35 This Sunday’s readings focus on the realities of sin and grace. Sin is one of the most pressing realities of scripture and our daily lives, both at the personal and communal spheres. We can’t evade recognizing our own brokenness or escape the impact of our actions. Our recognition of our fallibility opens us to grace beyond our efforts; the... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – July 29, 2018 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Psalm 14 Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6:1-21 This week’s passages encompass the polarities and ambiguities of life. They contrast the duplicity of the powerful with the generosity of the week. They join themes involving the individual and communal, scarcity and abundance, and fallibility and grace. Close to God’s heart, David is an ambiguous hero. His duplicity and immorality may give confidence to some who support... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost – July 22, 2018 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Psalm 89:20-37 Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 God’s covenant embraces all of us, promising more than we can ask or imagine. How do we best align ourselves with God’s vision of abundant life for us and those we love? How do we open to the sacredness of the present moment and also for the long haul? Certain spots become sacred to us; they are... Read more

The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – July 15, 2018 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 Psalm 24 Ephesians 1;3-14 Mark 6:14-29 Do you dance with God? Does your congregation’s worship inspire passion and ecstasy? Do you come to worship expecting great things from God and yourself? What happens when you dance to a different drum than God’s? Do our lives become destructive rather than creative? The reading from Samuel describes David and his companions dancing with all their might in God’s presence.... Read more

I must confess that the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. From my childhood, I have loved parades, outdoor grills, and fireworks. I never miss the Fourth of July Concert on the Capitol Mall on PBS and these days fireworks on Craigville Beach. But, more than that, I love the marching bands and music of the day – “The Star Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and anything by John Philip Souza. I’m a small town boy at... Read more

I must confess that the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. From my childhood, I have loved parades, outdoor grills, and fireworks. I never miss the Fourth of July Concert on the Capitol Mall on PBS and these days fireworks on Craigville Beach. But, more than that, I love the marching bands and music of the day – “The Star Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and anything by John Philip Souza. I’m a small town boy at... Read more