Category Archives: Bible
Bible Break
Today I wrote notes to parishioners, made a home visit, helped with set-up for annual conference, and led a walking group on the trail. In the afternoon I stopped at a park for a Bible break. I am no longer … Continue reading
Secret, Divine Action
Just as a sleeping child can be in her mother’s arms and not consciously be aware of the mother’s loving presence, so God’s presence and love are realities that are not limited to our conscious awareness. Simply intending to sincerely … Continue reading
Gethsemane to the Grave
Our vigil is going tonight from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Good Friday morning. I am scheduled for the 2 to 3 a.m. slot, although I may stay longer. I plan to reflect on the Passion from Luke’s Gospel, shown … Continue reading
Set My Feet In a Wide Place
These lines from Psalm 31 spoke to my condition today: I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, And have not shut me up into the … Continue reading
Reshape and Reinterpret
Ryan Dueck tries to explain the Bible to his young son: “Why do stories like this make you afraid,” I asked, with no small amount of trepidation. “Well, God seems so angry… He tells them not to look back at … Continue reading
Another Lectionary
I am taking a break from the daily Revised Common Lectionary and reading the One Year Bible, which is merely another lectionary (list of scripture readings). I have used the OYB before with its daily readings from Old Testament, New … Continue reading
Stranger or Prince
I took this shot yesterday during a break in our planning time. I like the contrast between dark and light, as well as the contrast between the vertical lines of the trees and the horizontal line of Wolf Creek. I … Continue reading
Missing the Signs
This is the back door to the sanctuary, pulpit side, where a sign says Please Keep This Door Closed. Often I find the door propped open like this and close it. In the winter especially we don’t want to heat … Continue reading
A Bible Without Numbers
Since I am curious about new versions of the Bible, I picked up a copy of The Books of the Bible, an edition without section headings or chapter and verse divisions. Simply the plain text, in the NIV translation, in … Continue reading
Daily Prayer App
The Presbyterian Church has made available an app for daily prayer, following the daily prayer book from the Book of Common Worship. What a great thing this is. Included are prayers and scripture readings for morning and evening prayer. I … Continue reading
Your word hides in the wind
Your word hides in the wind and the waters; your word works secretly in the heart of any believer; your word even gives life to someone I scorn or insult. All of these are your message to me. So I … Continue reading
You Kept a Vigil
You kept a vigil as Jesus lay in the tomb. Then you lifted him from the gates of death. His friends found an empty cave and ran out to recount your praises. Do you plant us in the ground too … Continue reading
There Is a Darkness In All the Land
There is a darkness in all the land. Few can see what lasts, what is truly important. Most see only what is temporary, not eternal. Send out your light, your inner light, so that all may see and have light … Continue reading
I Am Not In the Place of God
I am not in the place of God. That role was filled long long long before I came to be. As if I know the names of all the stars! But God’s very life, God’s own activity is in me. … Continue reading
Sound Your Voice In My Ear
Sound your voice in my ear so I may live. Set my mind on your Spirit so I may have peace. Hide your cup of blessing in my life so I may find it. Then each breath of mine will … Continue reading
I wander from day to day
I wander from day to day. What am I looking for? Love? Happiness? Peace? But when I look to you, O Christ, my face shines with joy, shame skulks away, demons flee. I am delivered! You are the life I … Continue reading
The Father of Spirits
What’s more, we had human parents who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live? Our human parents disciplined us for a little while, as it seemed … Continue reading
Knife and Penis
This from the daily lectionary yesterday set me to thinking. Abraham was 99 years old when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, and his son Ishmael was 13 years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised. That … Continue reading
Let Me Be Simple
Let me be simple and lowly, humble before human authority, yet also free as your servant, under your protection, since I know in your plan the last shall be first. Lectionary Readings Psalms 116; 147:12-20; 26; 130 Zephaniah 3:1-13 1 … Continue reading
You Asked the Rich Man to See
You asked the rich man to see himself as an exile like you, no lasting home here. You told him to travel light and trust in the promise of safety given by the one before whom creation quakes and mountains … Continue reading
