Is there a bad reason for going back to church? I was struck by Brene Brown’s confession that she went back to church for the wrong reasons. Actually, I know what she means. She went back to church to try to escape pain and instead found a community to help her endure pain, live with and...
Mark 13:9-13
posted by DJL
“As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you...
Lay Person or Muggle?
posted by DJL
Can we just banish the term “lay person”? I’m serious. Even though I grew up with this term, know more or less just what it means, and tend to use it myself, I still think it’s high time to get rid of it. Why? Because it sets up a dichotomy between those who are experts and, well, those who most decidedly are not. Not sure what I mean? Then just tell me what “lay person” means in the first place. Those reading this blog who have spent some time in seminary might be quick to remind me that it comes from the Greek word “laos” which means people. Okay, fine. Now tell me what “lay person” means to anyone who hasn’t studied...
Mark 13:3-8
posted by DJL
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you...
Wind on the Hill
posted by DJL
The weather took a turn this week, dropping from near eighty degrees on Wednesday to a high in the low forties on Thursday and Friday. I know it will likely warm up, at least a bit, but it sure feels like we’ve turned the corner and cannot count on seeing the warm sunny days we’ve enjoyed of late for another six months. And it’s been windy. The kind of wind that blows leaves in swirls and makes it nearly impossible to rake. All of which put me in mind of A. A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day,” which isn’t a poem, or even a book, of course, but Disney’s animated movie based on several A. A. Milne’s Pooh...
Mark 13:1-4
posted by DJL
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” When he was sitting on the Mount...
The Riddle of Time
posted by DJL
I have a riddle for you. What is more precious than gold but cannot be bought, earned, or saved? Before answering, let me share with you the story of a nearly perfect day. This past Sunday was absolutely beautiful in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, moving from the high fifties as the sun came up to near eighty degrees and sunny by mid-afternoon. After waking up I took our two dogs for a long walk. Then I went to church and enjoyed a great sermon and worship service. Then we threw a kayak on our car and took the family to Lake Harriet (featured in the picture) and while my two kids kayaked, my wife Karin and I walked around the...
Mark 13:1-2
posted by DJL
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” Sooner or later, anyone who...
Preaching the Questi...
posted by DJL
Sometimes things fall together better than you could have ever hoped. One of those things at this year’s Celebration of Biblical Preaching was the juxtaposition of Tony Jones and Michael Curry. Tony is theologian-in-residence at Solomon’s Porch, an emerging church in the Twin Cities. He...
Mark 12:41-44
posted by DJL
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has...
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