Marcia McFee: Metamorphosis Moment: Ritual Artistry and the Work of the People
Shifting the mindset from “what can we do about this predicament” to “what will we do with this possibility?” opens us up to so many opportunities for growth.
Susan Sparks: Lord, Give Me Patience - And Make It Snappy!
It’s hard to have patience in a sound bite world. That said, it is a virtue worth cultivating. We see this lesson over and over in scripture.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Lazarus
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Fifth Sunday in Lent. Here is this week’s reading from John 11:1-45...
Greg Cootsona: The Neuroscience of Teaching Christian Formation
To have our minds “consolidated,” to be integrated, is certainly one important way that we are “transformed by the renewing of the mind.”
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Darkness
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Here is this week’s reading from the book of Ephesians 5:8-10.
Drew Rick-Miller: Conflicted about the Conflict
I no longer begin a talk or lesson affirming the idea that there is a conflict between science and religion unless I am asked to address it explicitly. The conflict between science and religion is difficult to maintain.
Margaret Marcuson: Lower Your Expectations
My husband, Karl, says, “If you want to be happier, just lower your expectations.” Along the same lines, I recently discovered in a file a list of rules from family therapist and genogram expert Monica McGoldrick for relating to your family of origin.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration - Hope That Brings Us Here (Lent 3)
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the 3rd Sunday in Lent. Here is this week’s reading from Romans 5:1-5...
Walter Brueggemann: Pathetic Imagination
Pathetic imagination is incapable of hosting an alternative world and remains quite satisfied to have its sphere of possibility circumscribed to the small world in front of us. Thus in the confines of pathetic imagination, the claims of prophetic imagination are outrageous and incredible.
Drew Rick-Miller: A Hard Question from Scientists in our Churches
What do I do if my church does not accept me as a scientist? Wherever two or more evangelicals in the sciences are gathered, this question inevitably comes up.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Second Sunday in Lent: Eternal Life
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Second Sunday in Lent. Here is this week’s reading from John 3:13-17...
Ed Rosado: But the Greatest of These is Love
Beyond science’s reductive explanation, the Bible advances the idea that love is the tangible expression of the imago Dei (i.e., God’s very essence) imprinted in us and his directive (i.e., God’s desire) for human interaction. So, join me today as we explore the neurological and biblical underpinnings of love.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration - Transfiguration Sunday: Moses
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next time we will celebrate Transfiguration Sunday. Here is this week’s reading from Exodus 24:12-18...
Drew Rick-Miller: Our Common Humanity
Together, scripture and science, tell a remarkably similar story—despite all the difference and variation we see among humans—we share a common humanity. For science, it is known through our DNA. For faith, it comes from our unity in Christ and the image of God granted to each and every one us.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: God Speaking Through Us
We're back. And in our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany. Here is this week’s reading from 1 Corinthians 3:5-7...
Susan Sparks: We're in the Same Boat Brother
Multiple tragedies have struck in the recent weeks, including the death of Tyre Nichols, mass shootings, and the continued bombing of Ukraine. This message is dedicated to finding a better way . . .
Walter Brueggemann: Start Me with Two!
We may draw several lessons from the story of one-at-a-time in Santa Vittoria, ten in the operetta, and two in ancient Israel...
Eric Shafer: What Will You Tell Your Grandchildren?
I believe we are in a “what we tell our grandchildren” moment with Afghans, Ukrainians, Haitians, Venezuelans, and so many more, fleeing war and violence around the world and seeking protection in the U.S. What will tell our grandchildren when they ask us how we responded?
Margaret Marcuson: The map is not the territory
What’s going to happen to the church in the future? Everybody’s wondering, worrying, speculating. How much will stay the same? How much will change?
Greg Cootsona: How Technology Disciples Us: An Interview with Felicia Wu Song (Part 2)
We’re continuing this week with part two of Greg’s interview with Westmont College sociologist Felicia Wu Song, especially focusing on her ideas about how technology forms and even disciples us.