The Kingdom that begins with Lent also begins with blessing. There is the call to turn—repent!—which is Lent. There then comes a pronouncement: “Blessed!” Consider how stunning this is. When Jesus begins to teach about the Kingdom of God, the first word is “Blessed!” This is not what we expected, not from God almighty in …
Tag Archives: Good News
For the Second Sunday in Lent
Loving Lord, You have invited us to come to you and follow you, And so, we assemble today in worship, coming into Your presence. You have invited us to put ourselves aside, to forget Self and draw near to the Source and Center of all in Your presence. You have invited us …
The Word that Reads You
Our best sermons are formed when the Word of God we read reads you! We who are learned in the ways of Scripture, whether by professional preparation or by personal devotion or both, are vulnerable to a grave danger. We are vulnerable at the point of taking control of the Word for our own designs. …
BABY AS IMMANUEL!
In a world desperately in need of good news and forlornly weary of platitudes we celebrate the coming of Immanuel—God with us—in the gift of Jesus Glory to God in the highest! Well, yes, but what about us in the lowest? If it doesn’t work for the whole world and all of reality, does it …
JESUS CAME TO LIVE, BUT …
Some would say that Jesus “came to die.” Yes, it is quite common to assert that he was born actually to die. Most of us who say this know what we mean, at least in general. But I suspect others might be confused. Maybe even some of us are confused about this. The story of …