Lectionary blog for Jan. 15 The Second Sunday after the Epiphany Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 His name was David. His last name was something decidedly…
FILM REVIEW Lion Directed by Garth Davis, this touching film is based on a true story recounted by Saroo Brierley in his book A Long Way Home. When he was…
Many of our congregations are struggling with the same three interrelated difficulties: a smaller pool of members, a shrinking financial base, and fixed costs from an older building that may…
Lectionary blog for Jan. 8 The Baptism of Our Lord Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 Before there was Jeff Foxworthy there was Jerry Clower, a Mississippi Baptist…
We stand at the threshold of another year—365 breathtakingly wonderful days in which to begin new projects, complete old ones, improve ourselves and live our lives differently. But as we…
If you haven’t tried Snapchat, it’s a remarkably simple application. This social media platform allows people to send pictures or short videos to other users. These photo messages (“Snaps”) may…
Lectionary blog for Jan. 1 The First Sunday of Christmas/Holy Innocents Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23 When my boys were little, they loved Richard Scarry’s Christmas Book….
Lectionary blog for Dec. 24, 25 Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:1-20 “Life is a series of adjustments to reality.” Who said that? I did—over…
Lectionary blog for Dec. 18 The Fourth Sunday of Advent Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 I don’t know when the idea of “re-gifting” became common, but…
For many of us, the words “holiday season” are quickly equated with feelings of being rushed, stressed and overwhelmed. As Christmas approaches, we are plagued with thoughts of buying gifts,…
Lectionary blog for Dec. 11 The Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 When I was a student at a United Methodist seminary, a story…
Pastors, bishops, congregations and other leaders across our country are adapting and innovating to keep up with a shifting religious landscape. Fewer people are coming to church, and a rising…
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