The World Needs This From Us
There are Christians out there who are aching for an experience of God that is different from what they get in (almost all) mainline churches. They have a hunger for something they’re not getting. They also want to be a part of a church or denomination that welcomes everyone, not just those who conform to […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – All Saints, Year B
First Lesson Isaiah 25:6–9 On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 25, Year B (track one)
First Reading Job 42:1-6, 10-17 (omitted verses in italics) Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 24, Year B (track one)
First Reading Job 38:1–7, [34-41] optional verses bracketed below Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. “Where were you when I laid the foundation […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 23, Year B (track one)
First Reading Job 23:1-9, 16-17 (omitted verses in italics) Then Job answered and said: “Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! I would lay my case before him and fill […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 22, Year B (track one)
First Reading Job 1:1, 2:1-10 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. …… Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 21, Year B (track one)
First Reading Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 (omitted verses from ch. 7 in italics) So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 20, Year B (track one)
First Reading Proverbs 31:10–31 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 19, Year B (track one)
First Reading Proverbs 1:20–33 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 18, Year B (track one)
First Reading Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 (omitted verses in italics) A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the Maker of them all. The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go […]
Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh,My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 17, Year B
First Reading Song of Solomon 2:8–13 The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, there he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, looking through the lattice. My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, […]
What You Grasp Matters
(This short paper was written for my group as we were prepared for being inducted into a healing ministry.) In our study of the miracles of Jesus last week we read three accounts of Jesus’ healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. During the discussion we took note of the manner in which Jesus ministered to her, […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 16, Year B (track one)
First Reading 1 Kings 8:[1, 6, 10-11], 22-30, 41-43 (optional verses in brackets, omitted verses in italics) [Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 15, Year B (track one)
First Reading 1 Kings 2:10–12, 3:3–14 Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. And the time that David reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom […]
Divergence on the Lectionary – Proper 14, Year B (track one)
First Reading 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom. So the army went out into the field against Israel, and the battle […]