Encountering the text: Paul writes as someone who has awoken to a new reality, the reality of Christ and his resurrection. Now Paul must rethink everything he thought he knew. One … read more

Encountering the text: The parables of the mustard seed (13:31-32) and the leaven (13:33) go nicely together, making a similar point. Here, deep in summer, these parables about… read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18 We have all walked “tomb-ward” like Mary, on a morning of defeat or despair or deep grief. Pick up the daily paper. Evidence that evil is… read more

Isaiah 61:10-62:3 We are created as children of God, in God’s own image. When we live our lives in Christ we become joint heirs of all God’s promises. Such truth… read more

Scriptures for November 13: Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30 I’ve always been kind of uneasy with the parable of the talents. It seems… read more

Scriptures for All Saints Day: Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10, 22; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 M.C. Escher is one of my favorite artists. He’s the guy who did the pencil … read more