Relating, Creating, Transforming
Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-2313 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to […]
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Matthew 21:1-11 NRSV Hey there! It’s been a while. Yes, I’ve been taking a break from things for a while. Call it a sabbatical. And now I’m back, and well–strange times, wouldn’t you say? So welcome back to this strange, hopefully life-giving space. I appreciate you and hope that you still find this blog to […]
Read MoreThis week I am facilitating an alternative break program with students from Messiah College students through Interfaith Philadelphia. During the week the students and I will visit five faith communities, participate in four service-learning projects, and learn about religious pluralism, interfaith cooperation, and identity. On Sunday [day 1], we were fortunate enough to visit Philadelphia […]
Read MoreLuke 6:17-26 Recently I had the honor of attending the Unifying Our Communities in Response to Hate Conference at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. This gathering brought together community stakeholders, government officials and law enforcement to discuss the “state of hate” and share ideas on how community members can respond to hate and […]
Read MoreSunday Our week began with a visit to the very active Sikh community in Upper Darby. There are over 20 million Sikhs around the world today. Sikhism began over 500 years ago in the Punjab area of South Asia, which now includes the vast territories of Northern India and eastern Pakistan. Guru Nanak, born in […]
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John 17:20-26 We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.[1] Like a sculptor, if necessary, carve a friend out of stone. Realize that your inner sight is blind and try to see a treasure in everyone.[2] If everyone helps to hold up the sky, then one […]
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Luke 15:11-33 From the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures: To practice forgiveness is fasting, good conduct and contentment. Dispelled is anger as forgiveness is grasped. Where there is forgiveness, There God resides. Perhaps there is no more-recognizable story from the New Testament Gospels than the story of the prodigal son. You could make a […]
Read MoreJohn 15:12-17 When I was a teenager, there was a song that I learned in a youth ministry program that stuck in my head. The song Draw Me Close by Kelly Robert Carpenter spoke to me on an emotional level. Draw me close to you Never let me go I lay it all down again […]
Read MoreActs 9:36-43 Psalm 23 I had prepared to say something different, but Monday came and Boston became a focus for many, and as the week went on, things changed. I am not ever sure that words are adequate in this kind of situation. But when I feel compelled to respond, that means I should. As […]
Read MoreJohn 6:35-51 NYE Reflection #4: Imitating Bread VIDEO/STORY: JR Martinez: you have a voice: you want to make a change? JR Martinez’s story is inspiring. In the blink of an eye he went from a confident nineteen-year-old in Iraq cruising in the desert in a Humvee to a helpless, burning soul trapped inside a […]
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