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Sorrow Like My Sorrow – Lamentations 1:12
Can we really understand the suffering of another person or they ours?
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What Is Biblical Literacy?
We complain about it, write about it, claim it’s important or even critical, design programs to create it, but what is it? I don’t mean that none of us know what we mean when we say “biblically literate” or “biblically illiterate,” but do we all mean the same thing? I don’t think we do, and…
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Fences: Mending or Rending
The following is a sermon I presented at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Pensacola on September 11,2005 and originally posted here on September 13, 2005. I’m reposting it because when I went to look for it, I found that the original post had somehow been truncated, and also because there is a one word at a…
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Experiencing the (Baptism of the) Holy Spirit
This is a topic where I tend to make just about everyone uncomfortable. Long time readers may recall a previous discussion of speaking in tongues, and my own experience of it. Those who expect me to be intellectually oriented and rational are uncomfortable with mystical experiences, and many who are comfortable with the mystical experiences…
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Questions on Judges 4:1-7
Here are some questions that came to mind as I studied Judges 4:1-7. 1. Why does the lectionary reading end where it does? Would the passage bring a different lesson if one read on to where Barak requires Deborah to accompany him before he’ll go? 2. Does this passage provide a universal justification for women…
What Did They Cry?
In Judges 4:1-7, when the Israelites cried out, what did they have to say? With Psalm 123 included along with Judges 4:1-7 in Proper 28 / Ordinary 33 / Pentecost +27, I think we have an interesting possibility for preaching on prayer in trouble. My basic starting point would be to suggest to the congregation…
Judges 4:1-7
1After Ehud died, the Israelites again did what was evil in YHWH’s eyes. 2So YHWH sold them into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera who lived in Harosheth of the Nations. 3Then the Israelites cried out to YHWH, because Jabin had 900 iron…
3rd Sunday of Easter 2005
Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Peter opens the proclamation of the gospel. Psalm 16 Celebration of deliverance. 1 Peter 1:3-9 The outcome of the testing of our faith. John 20:19-31 Jesus appears to the disciples and the doubting of Thomas.
A Correct Prayer Attitude
Reading: Psalm 123 (From proper A28) Is there a correct attitude for prayer? Many people have rigid standards for how to pray, the type of language, the attitude one must have toward God, things that one must ask for–or not. Who must be addressed (Jesus, Father, Holy Spirit), and how much praise and thankfulness is…
Psalm 123 – Had Enough!
Psalm 123, Proper 28A/Ordinary 33A/Pentecost +27 November 16, 2008 (Note that I always use Text Week for my lectionary study) A song of ascents. 1To you we lift up our eyes,You who live in heaven.2As the eyes of slaves turn to the hand of their master,As the eyes of a maid looks to the hand…
7th Sunday in Easter, 2004
Acts 16:16-34 Psalm 97 Revelation. 22:12-21 (12-14, 16-17, 20-21) John 17:20-26
6th Sunday in Easter, 2004
Acts 16:9-15 Psalm 67 Revelation 21:10,22-22:5 John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9
4th Sunday of Easter 2004
Acts 9:36-43 Psalm 23 Revelation 7:9-17 John 10:22-30
3rd Sunday of Easter 2004
Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) Psalm 30 Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-20
2nd Sunday of Easter, 2004
Acts 5:27-32 Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31
Easter Sunday 2004
Easter Sunday offers us an opportunity to meditate on the joy hope of restoration and renewal. Not only do we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in the past (John 20:1-18, Luke 24:1-12), and look forward to the resurrection in the future (1 Corinthians 15:19-26), but we can also celebrate the current renewal of salvation in…
First Sunday in Advent, 2003
November 30, 2003 Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36
Thanksgiving Lectionary, 2003
November 27, 2003 Joel 2:21-27 Psalm 126 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Matthew 6:25-33
Lectionary 34, November 23, 2003
2 Samuel 23:1-7 and Psalm 132 or Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 and Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8 John 18:33-37
Lectionary #33 November 16, 2003
November 16, 2003 1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10 or Daniel 12:1-3 and Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:11-25 Mark 13:1-8
Lectionary #2 November 9, 2003
November 9, 2003 Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 and Psalm 127 Or 1 Kings 17:8-16 and Psalm 146 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44
All Saints Sunday 2003
(Nov. 2, 2003 ? All Saints Sunday) Ruth 1:1-18 and Psalm 146 Or Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Psalm 119:1-8 Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 12:28-34
All Saints Day 2003
(November 1, 2003) Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 or Isaiah 25:6-9 and Psalm 24 Revelation 21:1-6a John 11:32-44
23rd Sunday after Pentecost, October 26, 2003
23rd Sunday after Pentecost, October 26 Job 42:1-6, 10-17 and Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22) Or Jeremiah 31:7-9 and Psalm 126 Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52
22nd Sunday after Pentecost; October 19, 2003
22nd Sunday after Pentecost; October 19 Job 38:1-7, (34-41) and Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c Or Isaiah 53:4-12 and Psalm 91:9-16 Hebrews 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45
21st Sunday After Pentecost, 2003
21st Sunday after Pentecost Job 23:1-9, 16-17 and Psalm 22:1-15 or Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 and Psalm 90:12-17 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31
20th Sunday After Pentecost 2003
20th Sunday after Pentecost Job 1:1; 2:1-10 and Psalm 26 or Genesis 2:18-24 and Psalm 8 Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16
19th Sunday After Pentecost, 2003
19th Sunday after Pentecost The following are the suggested passages: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 and Psalm 124 Or Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 and Psalm 19:7-14 James 5:13-20 Mark 9:38-50