When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. ~ Genesis 25:27 Jacob is one of the most interesting characters in the Old Testament for me. There certainly is a wealth of story to choose from with him: Jacob tricking Esau out of his birthright. Jacob trying to win Rachel's hand from Laban. Jacob's ladder. Jacob's favoritism of Joseph leading to tragic consequences for the family. It's what makes Jacob

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. ~ Jeremiah 18:1-4 When my daughter was in elementary school, she came home one day with a piece of pottery that she made in art class. After studyin

I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.” ~ Genesis 22:17-18 God's creation had begun in a garden, and with sin spread "east" of Eden. With further sin, God pulled the reins in and brought creation back to a

[Jesus said] Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.” ~ John 21:18-19 Today is the feast day of the Apostles Peter and Paul. How does that old sayin

What actually is God's love like?

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love. ~ Galatians 5:6 The only thing that counts is faith working through love. Say it with me one more time: the only thing that counts is faith working through love. Martin Luther wasn't a fan of the letter of James - partically because of how he saw James' stand on "works." "Faith without works is dead." He pitted him in a sense then against

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. ~ Luke 1:57-58 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he ap

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. ~ Psalm 86:15 Recently I read a story about how Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told a group of people that he was certain Senate Candidate James Talarico was going to hell. It certainly stopped me in my tracks. The first problem of Patrick's statement of course is that God, not Dan Patrick, is the judge of about final punishment or reward for any person. There's the who

Meanwhile, when the crowd had gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, [Jesus] began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. ~ Luke 12:1 According to the Oxford Dictionary, yeast is a microscopic fungus. Brittanica says there are about 1500 fungi - some of whom are dangerous pathogens. Jesus used the metaphor more than once. In one parable, he likened the kingdom of God to yeast that turns flour

For something a little different. This week there was good advice - fro God and from a father to his child in Proverbs. It made me think of the speech of another father giving his son good advic - Polonius to Laertes. This scene is from the 1996 version of Hamlet. To thine own self be true!

Hear, my child, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. ~ Proverbs 4:10:13 In Proverbs, Wisdom is imagined as a woman. And for some, Wisdom is also viewed as being the same as the Holy Spirit. Now, that

[Jesus] came down with them and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. ~ Luke 6:17-18 Matthew's version of the Beatitudes tends to be the one we have in mind when we hear the words. If you're like me, you can imagine Jesus standing on his mounta

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Dear Paul, or whomever wrote this letter, I'm not sure all traditions need to be held onto. Maybe even not all of yours. Maybe even not all of Martin Luther's. And yet... There are traditions that we should never let go of: the tradition to love our neighbor as ourself. The tradition to learn and to grow in our

No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall lead this people to possess the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. ~ Joshua 1:5-6 Who is the most courageous person you've ever known? Take a minute... What made them courageous? Were they always courageous? Or did they find themselves in a situation where courage was the on

On Monday, Psalm 40 told of God's deliverance from the pit and miry bog to give us steps that are secure and firm. "40" by U2 has always been a touchstone for me to remember that God's got me. Here is a slower, more meditative version of the song that I hope will be meaningful to you as it is to me.

And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put in your power, but I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. ~ Exodus 4:21 I don't know about you, but most of the time, I don't need God to harden my heart. I'm really good at doing it myself. So this passage troubled me for many years. Why would God harden Pharaoh's heart? What was the goal? It seemed awfully unfair to the Hebrew

Then the Lord said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me, and if not, I will know.” ~ Genesis 18:20-21 What exactly was it that Sodom was so sinful about that it had to be destroyed? Their reputation of course is that they engaged in acts that we now refer to as "sodomy," meaning acts of same gender (especially male) copulation. Tha

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them, those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. ~ Hebrews 12:2-3 This above image seems to be the one that is associated with both immigrants and prisoners right now - well, longer than that actually. I admit that I am more than a little bit disheartened at the

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. ~ Psalm 40:1-2 Many people who know me know that Psalm 40 has special meaning to me because U2 based on of their songs on it - with words that really inspired me. I'll admit though that sometimes the words don't hit as well as other times. Sometimes I still feel like I'm in the pit. Or m

God is worthy to be praised! Here is a hymn that speaks joyfully to God's glory.