Here it is Fourth of July weekend and our texts have us reflecting on what it is like to be God’s prophetic voice in the midst of our community and our culture. And the word to Ezekiel, from Paul and the experience of Jesus, all assert that it “ain’t easy.” Being God’s own spokesperson does…

Have you ever thought about holy temples? A temple is usually understood to be a place where religious services are held. The Bible is full of references to the temple in Jerusalem. Most of us know of synagogues today that are called temples. Some Protestant churches are occasionally called temples. The Mormons use the term…

Today’s lessons are wonderful — Job, Psalm 107, 2 Corinthians and Mark. They are all about relationship with God — listening to God and responding to God — experiencing God, experiencing the wholeness and fulfillment and gladness that comes from that relationship. Let’s look at Job first. God finally speaks. For page after page, conversation…

Have you ever had someone thank you for something you’ve completely forgotten? You know the kind of experience I mean. A friend of yours, or even more likely, an acquaintance, tells you about a chance remark of yours that made a real difference to her. Perhaps it was when her Dad was in the hospital,…

Two weeks ago, a six year old girl who lives a few doors away was outside, swinging in her backyard. She was playing a popular children’s game of swinging until she gained sufficient momentum, and then jumped off the swing as it swing forward, sending her up and out, higher and farther than the swing…