Category Archives: Minister’s Blog

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. – Psalm 139:14a (NRSV) I wonder how old the psalmist was when they wrote this psalm. I wonder what gender they were, if they were short or tall, if they … Continue reading →

God was with Ishmael, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. – Genesis 21:20 (NRSV) Ishmael was a child of the wilderness. Conceived in the wilderness of slavery, he was in utero … Continue reading →

“Wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.” – Luke 24:49 (WEB) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is much in the news right now. From grocery clerks to medical staff, bus drivers to nursing home … Continue reading →

“But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you.” – Jonah 2:9 (NRSV) Jonah spoke those words from the belly of a whale. He’d been inside the creature for three days and three nights, after being thrown off … Continue reading →

My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. – Psalm 31:15 I wonder if Jesus prayed Psalm 31 before his entry into Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke says that next Friday, he prayed—or … Continue reading →

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5 (NRSV) I’ve always had trouble with the third Beatitude. The other blessings from Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount are worthy goals: hungering for righteousness, showing mercy, striving … Continue reading →

“Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called.” – Isaiah 48:12 (NRSV) “Listen.” “Hearken.” “Assemble, all of you, and hear!” “Draw near to me and hear.” Chapter 48 of Isaiah echoes with the injunction to the Israelites to listen … Continue reading →

King David rose to his feet and said, “I had planned to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord … and I made preparations for building.” – 1 Chronicles 28:2 (NRSV) King David … Continue reading →

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. – Psalm 46:1-2a (NRSV) The Bosque del Apache is a National Wildlife Refuge two hours south of the church I serve in Santa … Continue reading →

I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. – Psalm 119:55 (NRSV) I remember a lot of things at night. Perhaps you do, too. I usually start with everything I didn’t get done that day. … Continue reading →