On Satan and Magic

by Mark Stenberg

Gospel Reading: Luke 10:1-20

For Sunday, July 7, 2013: Year C—Ordinary 14

Pretend you know nothing about Satan. Cleanse your palette of the Milton, the Dante, the spiritual warfare...

In fall, new testament, magic, Mark Stenberg, disciple, YearC, demon, Kingdom of God, Luke, Satan, lightning, empire

Political Paul and the Foreskin Follies

by Mark Stenberg

Epistle  Reading: Galatians 6.1-18

For Sunday, July 7, 2013: Year C—Ordinary 14

Hey. I don't know if you've noticed yet, but it is a great time to be alive. Especially if you are a...

In history, new testament, N.T.Wright, Mark Stenberg, Richard Horsely, YearC, political interpretation, Glalatians, Galatians, empire

Sweet Talking God

by Russell Rathbun

Psalm Reading: Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

For Sunday, June 30, 2013 —Ordinary 13

I have noticed that the Psalms are quite popular for use both in worship and personal devotional prayer...

In Hope, russell rathbun, Old Testament, suckiness, Psalms, sucky, sweet talk, enemies, Featured, plead, YearC, awesome, emotion

Jesus the Jerk

by Russell Rathbun

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62

For Sunday, June 30, 2013 —Ordinary 13

“A smile is contagious.”

Or at least people say it is. Usually it is your Mom. Her comment was likely not...

In new testament, russell rathbun, samaria, follow, disciple, Featured, YearC, jerk, Luke, irritable, contagious smile, smile

Elijah, Murderer

By Nanette Sawyer

Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a

For Sunday, June 23, 2013:  Year C—Ordinary 12

When we get right down to it, Elijah is a murderer, and we need to think long and...

In violence, Loyalty, nanette sawyer, retaliation, honor, Featured, kingship, 1 Kings, Baal, YearC, Elijah, Jezebel

Begging Jesus

By Nanette Sawyer

Gospel Reading: Luke 8:26-39

For Sunday, June 23, 2013:  Year C—Ordinary 12

Even more than Twitter, Jesus changes everything. He upsets the socio-economic situation, brings outsiders...

In new testament, pigs, healing, nanette sawyer, salvation, Featured, abyss, demons, fear, YearC, Luke

Sinners Needed:

by Michael Danner

Epistle Reading: Luke 7:36 - 8:3

For Sunday, June 16, 2013; Year C—Ordinary 11

I get annoyed by people who want to be near me to judge me. These people feign interest in me and my...

In new testament, restoration, Michael Danner, judgement, forgiveness, Jesus, They do not know it but they are doing it, Simon, Featured, ideology, Karl Marx, YearC, Luke, Pharisee, legalism

Theological Telephone Game

by Michael Danner

Epistle Reading: Galatians 2:15 - 21

For Sunday, June 16, 2013; Year C—Ordinary 11

At some point, every youth group plays the telephone game (usually for the gossip lesson). But I...

In new testament, temptation, Michael Danner, Gentile, Featured, reconciliation, YearC, preaching, justification, exclusion, Jew, Paul, telephone game, Galatians

How to Heal Like Jesus

by Lia Scholl

Gospel Reading: Luke 7:11-17

For Sunday, June 9, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 10

I really, really want the Bible to be a good guide for how to do ministry, and how to really help change...

In new testament, Lia Scholl, healing, Featured, context, funeral, YearC, Nain, Luke, heal, widow

Fight, Flight and Freeze

by Lia Scholl

Old Testament Reading:  1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-24)

For Sunday, June 9, 2013: Year C—Lectionary 10

Every time I read this passage, my first reaction is, "Elijah is a jerk!"

He doesn't ask...

In Lia Scholl, flight, Old Testament, fight, Featured, 1 Kings, YearC, jerk, Elijah, widow, trauma