Our scripture for Sunday is Genesis 1:1-2:4a. Let’s take our assumptions about Genesis and set them aside for a moment. For now, let’s look at Genesis through the eyes of the exile. After King Solomon’s death, Israel was split into two kingdoms-Israel (North) and Judah (South). Israel was conquered and taken into captivity first. Hundreds […]
The scripture for Pentecost Sunday is 1 Corinthians 12:1-13. Remember, the Corinthian Church has many factions. Some are trying to develop a hierarchy on spiritual gifts (teaching, preaching, praying, etc.). Yet, the Apostle Paul argues that there is no such thing as a hierarchy. There are different functions, yes! There are appropriate times when various
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During the Season of Easter, we have been going through 1 Peter. The Christian’s addressed in this letter are Gentile Christians who live in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Peter calls them “God’s chosen strangers living in the world of the diaspora”. That is, these converts to Christianity have given up status in the
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The scripture this Sunday is from Matthew’s Gospel. For a moment, Mary Magdalene and Mary were the only bearers of the Good News of our Risen Christ. For a moment, they were the only witnesses to the Resurrection. For a moment, they were the only preachers. Add grief over losing their friend only to find
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This Sunday is Palm Sunday and our scripture is Matthew 21:1-11. Jesus comes into Jerusalem riding on not one but TWO animals! A donkey and her colt. The disciples are in the processional and a crowd of people are throwing their clothes and palm branches on the road to pave the way for Jesus. And
The scripture for Sunday is Psalm 130. You’ll notice the superscription says “A pilgrimage song” or “A song of ascent”. There is indeed movement. And this psalm is part of a larger body of 15 psalms (Psalms 120-134), which corporately move. But, who’s moving in this psalm? What’s moving? You’ll notice that the psalm speaks
Ephesians 5:6-14 is our scripture for this Sunday. Paul is calling out the converts to Christianity. Many scholars believe that congregation was mainly Gentile. So, of course, there are problems. There is this spiritual conflict facing many, if not all, in that congregation. Many are living as if they are children of ignorance instead as
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The scriptures for this Sunday are Genesis 3 and Romans 5:12-21. For many reading this blog, Genesis 3 is a familiar story. It’s the story of how a perfect world created by God becomes tainted with sin. Our parents, Adam and Eve, in the garden did not follow the one rule God laid out for
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Sunday’s scriptures are from Exodus and Matthew. In Exodus 24, Moses is led to the mountain. In Matthew 17, Jesus leads Peter, James, and John to another mountain. While there are similarities in the stories, there is one difference I wish to highlight: Moses embraces the mystery and glory of God while the disciples think
Micah 6:1-16 is our scripture for this Sunday. This passage takes place in a courtroom. God is laying out the case against the people of Israel. The hills, mountains, and the eternal foundations of the earth are witnesses to this lawsuit. What has happened? God’s chosen people have forgotten what the LORD did for them
