Author Archives: Covenant

Do you know how to live while in exile? Hear what instruction Jeremiah gives. Jeremiah 29:1,4-7 (NRSVUE) These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile fromContinue reading ““Living in Exile” — October 23rd, 2022”

God comes to us in unexpected places and speaks through unexpected people. As we approach the Advent and Christmas season for 2022, prepare yourself to be surprised by joy. Zephaniah 3:14-20 (NRSVUE)Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;    shout, O Israel!Rejoice and exult with all your heart,    O daughter Jerusalem!The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;    he has turned awayContinue reading ““Suprised by ?” — October 16th, 2022”

In today’s gospel, Jesus, or teacher, provides an assignment. However, some disciples would rather their own misters not do the assignment. The question though – how are you with the assignment? Luke 12:54-56 (NRSVUE)He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going toContinue reading ““A Two or Three-Part Assignment” — October 9th, 2022”

Has a story of Jesus ever made you twitchy and anxious? Well, this probably should but not for the reasons you might think. Luke 16:19-31 (NRSVUE) “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus,Continue reading ““Gates and Chasms” — October 2nd, 2022“

You may know the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. But do you… know… these stories? Luke 15:1-6, 8-9 (NRSVUE) Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eatsContinue reading ““Where’s My Cheese” — September 18th, 2022”

As people of the book, what is our relationship to books, literature, and ideas? 2 Chronicles 34:1-2, 14-16, 18-19, 29-31 (1-2) Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in the ways of hisContinue reading ““People of the Book” — September 25th, 2022”

You just will not believe what Jesus calls her. Now what do we do with that? Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSVUE)Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughterContinue reading ““Jesus and the Canaanite Woman” — September 4th, 2022”

Here are two biblical stories seldom, if ever, heard together. Together, though, they provide a better perspective about beauty. Imagine that. Luke 9:28-43 (NRSVUE)Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance ofContinue reading ““The Transfigured and the Disfigured” — September 11th, 2022”

Do you want to know the meaning of life? What its purpose is? I believe Jesus tells and shows us in today’s scripture. Luke 13:10-17 (NRSV) Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years.Continue reading ““How to change the picture of life?” – August 28th, 2022”

Where are we going? Proverbs 15:1 (NRSV) A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.