This church still has fire
From The Presiding Bishop

This church still has fire

Not all memories come flooding back because of photographs. Sometimes they can be a song, a word or phrase, or even a smell. For me, it’s barbecue. One whiff and,…
Anything but ordinary
Theology & Beliefs

Anything but ordinary

Back in the day, maybe even yet still, one’s first year of seminary involved serving several hours a week in a Ministry in Context (MIC) congregation. The goal was to…
Prayer for May 24
Prayer Ventures

Prayer for May 24

Every day, Living Lutheran offers a prayer for the day from the ELCA resource “Prayer ventures,” which can be downloaded here. These daily petitions are offered as a guide for your own prayer…
To try
Theology & Beliefs

To try

In the story of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Spirit doesn’t knock at the door. Instead, there is a “sound like a rush of a violent wind.” It doesn’t whip…
Little fires and contextualized words of Pentecost!
Lectionary Blog

Little fires and contextualized words of Pentecost!

Lectionary for May 24, 2026 Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-21; Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23 Since I don’t serve a congregation, I rarely put on…
Comforting companion
Lectionary Blog

Comforting companion

Lectionary for May 10, 2026 Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21 What is the most recent thing that really brought you comfort? Some…
Prayer ventures: June 8
Prayer Ventures

Prayer ventures: June 8

Every day, Living Lutheran offers a prayer for the day from the ELCA resource “Prayer ventures,” which can be downloaded here. These daily petitions are offered as a guide for…
My take: We could speak again 
Voices of Faith

My take: We could speak again 

In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh … (Acts 2:17).  I forget sometimes how afraid the first disciples…
Lectionary blog: Speaking one word
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Speaking one word

Lectionary for June 8, 2025 Day of Pentecost Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17 Last week we talked about a supernatural unity of Christians across…
Lectionary blog: Confounding expectations
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Confounding expectations

Lectionary for June 16, 2024 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13; Psalm 20; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17; Mark 4:26-34 One of my favorite dad hacks when I need to…
Lectionary blog: A tale of disappointing sons
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: A tale of disappointing sons

Lectionary for June 9, 2024 Third Sunday after Pentecost 1 Samuel 8:4-20; Psalm 138; 2 Corinthians 4:13–5:1; Mark 3:20-35 I’m grateful for extended family these days and for grandparents who…
Lectionary blog: Missing God’s actions
Lectionary Blog

Lectionary blog: Missing God’s actions

Lectionary for June 2, 2024 Second Sunday after Pentecost 1 Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23–3:6 The lectionary passages this week are about times when people…