Jesus, you entered the Temple and disrupted business as usual because once you’d come there was no returning to “the usual.” Jesus, you entered the Temple and overturned tables because nothing could remain untouched by the grace you embodied. Jesus, you entered the Temple and demanded an...
Tornado Damage &...
posted by DJL
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who suffered from the tornadoes a week ago, and to all those who are working tirelessly to bring them some measure of relief. To learn more, to help, and to donate, you can go to the websites of the The Red Cross and Lutheran Disaster Response. And...
16. Mark 14:43-46
posted by DJL
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him...
Every Riven Thing – A Poem for Friday
posted by DJL
Given this Sunday’s Gospel reading from John 2, where Jesus makes manifest that God will no longer be contained in the Temple but is now, in Jesus, on the loose, I thought Christian Wiman’s poem Every Riven Thing was appropriate. But this isn’t simply a tribute to the God present in nature; it is testimony to the God who appears in brokeness. As Wiman says in an interview with Radio Open Source: Riven means broken, it means shattered or wounded or unhealed, and I think that notion is very important to me and my notion of God and of religion: that we are broken creatures, very broken creatures. And I don’t think of God as...
15. Mark 14:37-42
posted by DJL
He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same...
Disruptive Wonder an...
posted by DJL
Kelli Anderson is a remarkable young designer who has a lot to teach parents, pastors, professors, politicians, corporate or class presidents and just about anyone else in a leadership position who is willing to listen, learn and take some risks. The video below is of her presentation at a...
14. Mark 14:35-36
posted by DJL
And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” “For you all things are possible.”...
The Hunger Games: A Guide for Discussion
posted by DJL
I count myself among the lucky in that I stumbled upon Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games shortly after it was published and so had a chance to read it, love it, and recommend it to others way before the film buzz. (Of course, that also meant that I had to wait a full year in between each of the successive two volumes!) Since then, I’ve been wondering about the phenomenal appeal of this book. Not only is it tremendously popular but it’s been one of the stories that has most stayed with me in recent years (indeed, I’ve read it a couple of times now). I’ve also been wondering about how we might read it with our kids (both in our families...
I Would Pay More ...
posted by DJL
…for an iPad and iPhone that were made in a factories that valued the dignity of its workers and with materials that supported peace rather than war. In a few hours the iPad 3 is set to be debuted. Now, I have to tell you, I’m a huuuuuge fan of just about all things Apple. But I...
13. Mark 14:32-34
posted by DJL
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” We are now on the...
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