In today’s scripture from the book of Acts, we are told of the precarious balance upon which the body of Christ rests. Twice now, we have heard passages that tell us the believers sold everything they had and made sure there were no needs in their community. Twice now, we have been told of their…
Kenotic Words
worship, sermons, lectionary
Spirit of the Underdog
In 1887, a new term was coined in the English speaking world – the “underdog”… as opposed to the top dog – who was the dominant person in a situation or hierarchy, the winner, the victor in a fight or contest of wills. The term likely comes from the world of dog fighting, but soon…
Spirit of Healing
When I was in Tampa for General Conference, I saw a few folks on the street who were looking for handouts. And every time, I diverted my eyes, or I politely said “I’m sorry” and kept going. Except for one instance. A man on a bench asked me for some money for food. I went…
Spirit of Discipleship
How many of you understand the Holy Spirit? How she works, where she blows, what exactly God is doing in our lives through the Spirit’s power? Raise your hands… Notice, my hand isn’t raised either 😉 The Holy Spirit is hard to pin down… the power of God, the fullness of God, moving among us,…
Intersection Intercessions
While a student in seminary, I had the opportunity and privilege to take Clinical Pastoral Education through the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. I was thrown into the lions den, as it were, and was invited to put my very limited skills to use caring for patients and their families in some of the most trying…
Going Up?
Are you going up? Are you… climbing the ladder… increasing in stature… measuring success in leaps and bounds? Are you going up? I’m not asking if you are climbing the corporate ladder… or increasing your standing in the community… or raking in the dollars and cents. Are you going up? Are you climbing Jacob’s ladder? …
No More Denial
Seventy five years ago, I probably would not have been welcomed in this pulpit. As a woman, ordination was out of the question. A combination of tradition and a patriarchal society and a way of reading the scriptures precluded the church from welcoming women as preachers and pastors. But here I stand… robed, ordained, my…
truth and repentance #gc2012
Last night, our General Conference participated in an act of repentance toward healing relationships with Indigenous Peoples. I’m not entirely sure what I expected from the service of worship, but it was more somber and prophetic than I had imagined. There was less imagery and pageantry and more thoughtfulness and truth-telling. And the language used…