Author Archives: Covenant

Very simply, how is your dash coming along? 1 Samuel 1:20, 25:1a (NRSV)In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.”Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him. They buried him at his home in Ramah.

This past year has taught me something important about grief and I want to share that with you. Mark 10:1-8 (NRSV)He left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him, and, as was his custom, he again taught them. Some, testing him, asked, “IsContinue reading ““My Journey With Grief – One Year Later” — July 17th, 2022”

As we observe the Sacrament of Baptism, let’s have the Beatitudes show us the way. Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV) When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is theContinue reading ““The Beatitudes and Tripp And Us” — July 10th, 2022”

We live in a society stretched between individual rights and collective solidarity. The letter to the Hebrews reminds us of the journey of faith that leads to a better country. Hebrews 11 8-16 (NRSV) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as anContinue reading ““A Better Country” — July 3rd, 2022”

In the gospel of John, we discover that for his Pentecost experience, the disciples are fearful and behind locked doors. But Jesus comes among them and offers his peace – a wounded peace. John 20:19-23 (NRSVUE) When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked whereContinue reading ““Wounded Peace” — June 5th, 2022”

I’m dropping my oars into choppy waters, so Jesus doesn’t pass me by. How about you? 1 Samuel 4:1-11 And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek. The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and asContinue reading ““Dropping Oars in Choppy Waters” — May 29th, 2022”

For most, believing leads to belonging. Let’s see what Jesus has to say John 10:22-30 (NRSVUE) At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will youContinue reading ““Lie in Suspense Mode” — May 15th, 2022”

Love is enough The 4th-century theologian Jerome tells a story about the Apostle John. John was old and frail, unable to walk, so his disciples would carry him into the gathering of believers on the Lord’s Day. Every week these were his words to the congregation: “Little children, love one another.” This went on weekContinue reading ““The Eleventh Commandment” — May 22nd, 2022”

Goodbyes are hard. Jesus said goodbye to his disciples. Let’s talk about it. John 14 (NRSVUE) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare aContinue reading ““Goodbyes” — May 8th, 2022”

See what Thomas, the Twin, can teach us one week removed from Easter John 20:24-29 (NRSV) But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the markContinue reading ““Hey! You Came Back” — April 24th, 2022”