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A Family Like Mine: Biblical Stories of Love, Loss, and Longing
https://bookstore.upperroom.org/Products/1921/a-family-like-mine.aspxWhom Shall I Fear: Urgent Questions for Christians in an Age of Violence
https://www.amazon.com/Whom-Shall-Fear-Questions-Christians/dp/0835819671-
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Category Archives: sermon preparation
The Stone Mason
Only the mason knows the secret flaw carved into the setting of precious stones and metal, glorious, reflecting sunlight and the king’s delight, having built God a home, domesticated the Wild One, his prize. Inspired by the whorl and swirl … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43, Luke 7:1-10, Solomon's temple, year c pentecost 3
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Earth, oil, ashes, and a pound of precious nard
I have anointed people for death, and I think Mary was right to get in early, because when I return, a few days later, or a week, I do not come bearing precious nard. Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged anointing, clergy, funerals, Holy Week, John 12:1-8, Mary of Bethany, Palm Sunday, Year C Lent 5
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Jesus, Mary, and Judas
Poor, jealous Judas, love-lorn puppy, eyes stinging from the stench and from the memory: “See how he loved him!” they said when Jesus wept, and now this woman spilling fragrant death all over. Her sister rattles the plates on purpose. Mary, rapt … Continue reading
The prodigal God
Waiting for the God to come home; if I saw her on the road would I run, hitching up my skirts, fire up the pyre, melt the golden calf, sacrifice my unbelief, my cold soul on the altar of her … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged God, Luke 15:11-32, parable, prodigal son, repentance, Year C Lent 4
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A cynical preacher on the prodigal parable
Every story has a point of view. I knew that family. I would have told their story a little differently than Jesus did. I would have told you a little more. The kid was a chancer, a gambler, an addict. … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation
Tagged addiction, cynical preacher, family, Jesus, Luke 15:11-32, parable, prodigal son, Revelation 22:1, Year C Lent 4
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The penitent
on her knees scrubbing blood from the pavement beneath the broken icon
Posted in haiku, lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged Luke 13:1-9, penitence, repentance, year c lent 3
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Second thoughts
Mary did not float through her pregnancy without her swollen feet touching the ground. When Mary returned to her senses, the bread was burning, and she nearly took the skin off her hands snatching it from the fire in a … Continue reading
The letter of Zephaniah to the Philippians, as recorded in the Gospel of John the Baptist according to Luke
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice, you brood of vipers! Rejoice in the Lord and exult with all your heart! Continue reading
My kingdom is not of this world
A pre-Advent poem for Christ the King The flag I did not come with fire and flood, but with tender fingertips, in flesh and squalling hunger biting through your resignation, splitting hearts and breaking glory down into its humblest parts, … Continue reading
over the water 