The readings for the fourth Sunday in Lent are from Isaiah 42:14-21; Ephesians 5:8-14; and John 9:1-41. Last Sunday, the lessons flowed from the parable of water; today from the parable of light. There is no hope for seeing when it is dark, nor can darkness create light. All three lessons bear witness to the hopeless … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sunday Summary: Third Sunday in Lent
The readings for the third Sunday in Lent are taken from Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-8; and John 4:5-26 (27-30, 39-42). Common to these readings is: a) the contentiousness of the corruption of Adam in our human nature; b) the redeeming work of God that precedes us, surrounds us, and comes to us; c) the parable … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Third Sunday in Lent
Sunday Summary: Second Sunday in Lent
The readings for the second Sunday in Lent are taken from Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:1-8, 13-17; and John 3:1-17. Genesis records how God established a particular relationship with Abraham. This relationship is parabolic. God calling Abraham out of his country and people is parallel to God regenerating us from above, as Jesus tried to explain to Nicodemus. … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Second Sunday in Lent
Thoughts on the State of the Union address
Another State of the Union address from our president calls for another response from citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Our president shared some good news and good thoughts with us. I heard him say that we welcome everyone who loves our country and pursues legal immigration. I also heard him say many things that … Continue reading Thoughts on the State of the Union address
Sunday Summary: First Sunday in Lent
The readings for the first Sunday in Lent are taken from Genesis 3:1-21; Romans 5:12-19; and Matthew 4:1-11. Genesis records the catastrophe of Adam’s rebellion against God and the wreckage that caused with Eve and everyone to follow. In Romans, Paul plainly holds Adam responsible for all that is wrong BUT also shows us the second Adam, the Seed promised … Continue reading Sunday Summary: First Sunday in Lent
Sunday Summary: Transfiguration
The readings for the Transfiguration of our Lord are taken from Exodus 24:8-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, and Matthew 17:1-9. According to Exodus, Moses and others went up on Mount Sinai to meet God, and God gave Moses the Ten Commandments written on two stone tablets. God appeared to Moses in cloud and fire. Moses was with God forty … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Transfiguration
Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
The readings for the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany are taken from Isaiah 58:3-9, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, and Matthew 5:13-20. Epiphany concentrates on people and things that appear—angels, stars, shepherds, wise men, John the Baptizer, and most of all, Jesus Himself, THE morning Star. But Epiphany is also interested in things that God’s Word makes … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Podcast: A new Educational Curriculum
This episode introduces the release the first edition of a new educational curriculum—Dwelling in You Richly! I wrote it when I first began as a parish pastor; the goal was to immerse children in the Living Water of God’s Word. The title itself refers to that goal; it is based on Colossians 3:16: “Let the Word of … Continue reading Podcast: A new Educational Curriculum
Sunday Summary
The readings for the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany are taken from Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, and Matthew 5:1-12. There are two kinds of power: power to take from others for self, which is self-defeating OR power to give from oneself to others, which is a benefit to all. What is the one thing that … Continue reading Sunday Summary
Sunday Summary: Third Sunday after Epiphany
The readings for the third Sunday after the Epiphany are taken from Isaiah 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; and Matthew 4:12-25. Isaiah makes mention of the Gentiles (“islands,” “peoples,” “nations”) in many, many places. Essential to Epiphany and to the revelatory work of Jesus is to remind everyone that God is the Creator and Redeemer of everyone; that … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Third Sunday after Epiphany