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…

Scattering enemies and making friends
Lectionary Blog

Scattering enemies and making friends

Lectionary for May 17, 2026 Seventh Sunday of Easter Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11 Every time I speak at a conference or lead a…

Five road movies for the weary pilgrim
Voices of Faith

Five road movies for the weary pilgrim

For those of us who are suckers for a road movie, the charm of a classic hero-on-a-righteous-path story is endlessly alluring. The lead character walks off their past, confronts their…

God of the cosmos
Living Faithfully

God of the cosmos

Focal verse “Thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it a chaos;…

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…

The gift of a life
Voices of Faith

The gift of a life

One of the most important dimensions of aging is to bring us to understand that life cannot be taken for granted. Life cannot be devoured—it can only be savored (Joan Chittister,…

A catalyst for meaningful dialogue
Theology & Beliefs

A catalyst for meaningful dialogue

How can faith and science move beyond conflict and into meaningful conversation? This was the question ELCA pastors Will Rose and Thomas Johnston were pondering when they created the podcast…

A declaration of war … and peace
Theology & Beliefs

A declaration of war … and peace

On Feb. 28, the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched a bombing campaign against Iran, kicking off a series of debates about the justification for war. Secretary of Defense…

Hope and encouragement in challenging times
Theology & Beliefs

Hope and encouragement in challenging times

Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of us as Lutherans,…

On martyrdom and violence
Lectionary Blog

On martyrdom and violence

Lectionary for May 3, 2026 Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14 In the New Testament, Jesus’ followers kill exactly zero people. Christians…

The gift of community
Voices of Faith

The gift of community

Though I’ve often lived alone, I’m drawn to community and connection. I’ve been blessed to take part in many Christian communities, some for an intense, two-week period of formation and…

The doorkeeper’s voice
Lectionary Blog

The doorkeeper’s voice

Lectionary for April 26, 2026 Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 I’ve been a professor long enough now that I’m starting to hear…