Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV) 21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “What have you to …
God and the False Self
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. 3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, …
New Beginnings
Mark 1:1-11 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” 4 …
Advent Week 3
Stupid Joy Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11 John 1:6-8, 19-28 How does one begin to analyze joy? What is the deep biblical meaning of joy? The passage from Isaiah refers to God as the “joy in my soul”. John the Baptist is often associated with the joy of religious ecstasy. Honestly, the process of analyzing joy as a useful function tends to …
Advent Week 2
The Story that is Coming The Scripture this week, whether in Isaiah or Mark, Peter or the Psalms, tells us of what is to come. But it’s the advent season, it’s Christmas time, and we know what is coming. The baby Jesus is coming, the heralded birth of the Messiah. We know the story. Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem, …
Advent Week 1
Advent 2011: Hope The Text This Week: Mark 13:24-37 Excerpt, Inclusive Translation: (vs. 33-37) “Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like an owner traveling abroad. They leave their home and put the workers in charge, each with a certain task, and those who watch at the front …
Our Bodies, Ourselves
I try to avoid Pauline texts as much as possible. In addition to what in my estimation is a very non-systematic approach, Pauline texts have the unfortunate honor of establishing the language we use to talk about our faith. I say unfortunate because it is impossible to hear these texts without the weight of the entire history of interpretation of …
Rasslin’
Sometimes this thing my Methodist friends lovingly call “the discernment process” is a rollercoaster ride. At least it is for me. There are the high points, like marrying my friends on Saturday. In moments like that, filled with beauty and love, I think I could be a minister. Then I started my class on premarital counseling. When I signed up …
Benefit Concert for Heifer International
The Kessler Presents: Trinity River Folk w/ Chasing the Muse June 15, 2011 doing all acoustic sets. Proceeds go to benefit Heifer International
First Tuesday Social Justice Film Festival – April 5th Fierce Light
7:00pm April 5th First Tuesday Social Jusice Film Festival Presents a free screening of “Fierce Light” Fueled by the belief that “another world is possible,” Fierce Light is a compelling, global journey into the world of spirit in action, an exploration of what Martin Luther King called “Love in Action,” and Gandhi called “Soul Force”; what Ripper is calling “Fierce Light.” …