The prophet Isaiah is writing in the time of the sixth century (BCE), a time when destruction and exile have left the community fractured and in chaos. The prophet seems to...

When I was going through the ordination process, it felt like I told my “call story” a hundred times. In ministerial circles, a “call story” is the story of the way...

In Mark’s Gospel, events happen at a rapid-fire pace. There is no time for drawn-out stories. In today’s reading, Jesus is at work healing Simon’s mother-in-law. Before this, he was busy...

The crowds flock to Jesus. He heals people with leprosy, casts out demons, feeds the people, and teaches with authority. After Jesus teaches in the synagogue and casts out a demon,...

It’s a classic movie cliché—the teacher is gone for the day, and in walks a substitute. The substitute doesn’t have the authority or relationship with the students, so the students feel...

We can often tell the story of the Bible by telling a story of food—from taking the fruit in the Garden of Eden to selling a birthright for a pot of...

The Corinthian church was a know-it-all, the sort of kid at school who raises a hand for every question, corrects other students, and shows a bit of disdain for those who...

As the songbook for God’s people, the Psalms tell us an emotional and spiritual history of God’s big story of redemption for God’s people. Psalm 111 shows us the mighty deeds...

When we are caught up in the beauty and perfection of something, we can’t help but praise it. From a friend or spouse, to a sunset or an artistic work, we...

When my oldest child entered fourth grade, he was tasked with learning to play the recorder. He would retreat to his room, squeaking out something that sounded like notes, while the...