This story about St. John the Almsgiver and a very brazen beggar reminds us of a very important lesson. When someone asks for assistance it is not necessarily the beggar whose story needs to be tested. Rather we are the ones who are being tested and the one who is doing the testing is Jesus himself. Continue reading St. John the Almsgiver: How to be a reckless but faithful giver
Our North Shore theologian Zoomed in from the edge of the wilderness on Wednesday night. She told us with an eye-twinkle, that she had located the Holy Spirit shape-shifting among the world’s tricksters, drawn from the world’s memories. Moving in the borderlands mostly out of view, knowing your moves in the second before you do and playing with mischief. Here on turtle island, the Holy Spirit is a coyote. Continue reading Here on Turtle Island, the Holy Spirit Is a Coyote
All of us carry a great deal of unclaimed baggage around with us every day—wounds inflicted on us from childhood or failed relationships, wounds we have inflicted on our children or spouses, sins and failures of which we are ashamed. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could dump all of that baggage at some airport terminal and leave it there? Continue reading Unclaimed Baggage
What happens when a pastor offers a benediction. According to Numbers 6 to bless someone is to “put the name of God” upon them.
There is something beautiful and intimate in this image. When a benediction is spoken it is as though God bends down and tenderly kisses us on the forehead. Continue reading Giving a Blessing
As a general rule, I do not believe that one memorable sermon ever changes someone’s life. Rather it is the faithful preaching of the Word over the course of years that shapes and molds us Continue reading The Word of the Lord Endures Forever; the Preacher’s Words … Not So Much
“To be forgiven is only half the gift. The other half is that we also can forgive, restore and liberate.” Marilynne Robinson Continue reading The Gift of Forgiveness
God’s commandments have more in common with commitments than you might think. The Ten Commandments begins with a reminder of God’s love. In a sense when God commands us to love him and to love others he’s putting an invitation into our hands. He stands before us not with a lightning bolt, but with the open and pierced hands of Jesus. Continue reading Commandments and Commitments
Jesus doesn’t call us to benevolent indifference, he calls us to passionate love. Jesus died on the cross so that we might have life and have it abundantly (Jn 10:10) and Jesus expects us to pass this abundant life on to others. Continue reading “Live and Let Live?” Or “Live and Let’s Give?”
This story was used as a communion meditation for worship at United Reformed Church of Clifton, on Sunday, May 3, … Continue reading Fire in the Hole: A Communion Story from Solitary Confinement
Originally posted on small points of light:
On this particular morning in the midst of our pandemic diaspora, I rose knowing to my… Continue reading Priesting in Pandemic
by Pastor Mike Weber
The thoughts, prayers, and brain-dumps of a Presbyterian pastor-mom
[the stars]
Musings & Meditations
conversations about Jesus and community
I am an artist and illustrator. And these “episodes” are quick sketches of and stories about people that I meet or have met over the years. I do the drawings first, keeping them simple and spontaneous but (hopefully) sophisticated. They are with perhaps one or two exceptions, line drawings done with a fine-line pen. I started doing these drawings in business meetings. That expanded to doing them in waiting rooms or while traveling, as a way to remember the people I met, worked with, or just observed from afar. Once I’d done a number of these sketches, I began to wonder about the people they depict. What might they be really like on the inside? What are their dreams? Their fears? Their secrets? Since I did not know the people I was drawing (or because I did not know them well), I felt ill-at-ease about asking personal questions. And so, I began to create stories about these people, based on what I imagine their life is like. That way, each drawing became a kind of psychological adventure; I never knew, when I sat down to write, what I was going to find. Like the drawings themselves, the stories are not to scale or photographic. If there is any prevailing theme, it is this: people keep their inner world well-hidden and probably for damn good reason. A secondary theme: making stuff up is much more fun than reality. And in a way, that is the real truth in all this. If you would like to learn more about me or my work please send a note. Our email: myron.gilbert@att.net
Celebrating what makes Brittany unique
exploring ideas - inspired by texts - expressed in images
Hannah's daily devotional
"Diamonds are found only in the dark places of the earth; truths are found only in the depths of thought." (Victor Hugo, Les Miserables)
thoughts on life, teaching, and faith
Searchings: Sacred and Secular
Essays, poetry, sermons and images to spark your own creativity.
Writing Down The Bones
Explorations in Practical Theology and Youth Ministry
Musings and Wonderment 