Talking with my children about sex without shame
I wanted to give them better than what I had. It wasn't easy.
Abandoned in a storm
The “Jesus asleep in the boat during a terrible storm” story has always seemed unfair to me. I feel for the disciples when they wake him; they are understandably angry that he doesn’t seem to care that they are about to die. I’d be just as angry at Jesus for appearing so calm in the midst of real danger.
The disciples are uncomfortable that Jesus is not acting according to the category of “concerned friend,” much less “messiah”—so they kind of yell at him. And when it comes down to it, who hasn’t yelled at God during the storms of life?
Ordinary #12B (Mark 4:35-41)
Being fearful in a storm at sea is not exactly irrational like pogonophobia (fear of beards).
Don't dissect the parables
Parables aren’t too helpful, are they? Here’s what would be helpful: six steps to better discipleship. Or the three secrets of the kingdom of God, spelled out in an acrostic.
If only Jesus’ teachings were as simplistic as they are often portrayed.
Ordinary #11B (Ezekiel 17:22-24; Mark 4:26-34)
These parables are like God's joke in the form of an invasive species.
We are who God says we are
In the incarnation, life,
death and resurrection of Christ we see that God is so for us and with us that
we can no longer be defined according to death, a religion-based worthiness
system or even the categories of late-stage capitalism.
Life Among the Lutherans
When I meet strangers and am asked what I do, and I say I’m a Lutheran pastor, there are exactly two possible reactions....
With or without us
Have the disciples started to think this is all about them? I know I would.
Good, unpopular news
Just in case we don't get it yet, we are now told of John the Baptist.
More rejection
Rejection has been the traveling companion of the gospel from the beginning.
Books to start with
What book would you recommend to someone eager to learn more about Christianity, someone who is just coming alive to the faith and to the power of the community of faith—the church...
The gospel vs. self-reliance
This week the lectionary offers foundational verses of our faith. But the faith cannot live on a couple verses alone.
Blogging toward WEDNESDAY: A desert in the oasis
Our Lent lectionary blogging will consist of individual posts by a variety of contributors....