O, Wounded Head Now Sacred

Jesus tells His disciples to keep awake for they don't know when the Lord is coming. That can be tough to swallow, because it feels like this waiting is getting on and on and I'm not very patient. Thankfully, none of this is up to us, other than watchfulness.  Apologies to those of you who are familiar with Neil Sedaka's song, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do." You didn't a...

From Genesis 32, we hear the story of Jacob's encounter with an unknown figure, but we can only presume is God's messenger or God's very self. It's a story of struggle, reconciliation and accountability that takes place at a pivotal moment in Jacob's life. Jacob comes away changed by the encounter, but also as a blessing to a whole people. We too, struggle with God in diff...

Jesus talks to the disciples about the depth and breadth of what it means to follow Him. It means we are freed in Christ and at the same time, bound to serve our neighbors. Increase our faith indeed.

Moses addresses the Israelites at a critical juncture in the book of Deuteronomy. Jesus challenges his disciples by telling them of the cost of discipleship. Decisions are part of life, but perhaps most crucial is who we are making these decisions for.

We're back, and this past Sunday focused on the 14th chapter of Luke's Gospel where Jesus encounters the Pharisees yet again. Jesus gives some unsolicited advice to the guests and host about table manners. Perhaps it's a deeper discussion than mere etiquette where Jesus is inviting them and us to be transformed by meeting Jesus.

Hey hey! It's another episode of the podcast and today we chat about Jesus feeding the 5000 (even women and children!) from the 14th chapter of Matthew's Gospel. Jesus has compassion on the gathered masses and recruits the disciples to help feed them all. The miracles of new life happen every day. In Christ, God opens our eyes to see them and we can't help but be a part of it.

Hey hey! It's the 9th Sunday after Pentecost and it's been awhile but we're back with another edition of O, Wounded Head Now Sacred. Here's some things I'm thinking about for this coming Sunday. Stay cool and hydrated!

In Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in the Gospel according to John, He makes a few petitions to God on behalf of the disciples, and in this episode, I focus on the one petition that seems a little inconceivable (and yes, Princess Bride fans, I know what that word means). Jesus prays that "they might be one" or for unity. Is this mere high hopes or is it a challenge for how those who fol...

A GPS map can only do so much. Sometimes when we're stuck in the middle, it's important to know where we're going so we can better navigate the inevitable things that throw us off course. Jesus gives us a clue in the Gospel of John as to what this might look like. John 14:1-14

Jesus shows up to 2 disciples on their way to Emmaus on Easter Day. Jesus takes the route of asking the question of the now classic 4 Non-Blondes song, "What's up?"  from 1992. An even older reference could be Bugs Bunny's catchphrase, "What's up, doc?" Either way, Jesus gets them to  share their story and Jesus shares His which eventually leads to a new way of s...

We end the church calendar year with Christ the King Sunday and our Gospel text is  Luke 23: 33-43 .  Kingly images that come to my mind are Simba, Aragorn and the Bratheons, but of course that isn't the point of Christ the King. I need more "spiritual reps," or constant reminding that Jesus is Lord. It's the sinner in me, I guess. Have a great week!

Jesus lays down the lumber in this little section of the Gospel of Luke and tells the people about all of the hardships that will take place. This isn't a prophecy, but rather a telling of the way things are. Jesus will later point them to what will sustain them, His very self.

Jesus calls His disciples and immediately starts teaching. Jesus instructs them in the ways of viewing relationships with God's point of view rather than our own. I'm not really quite sure where the Partridge Family earworm came from, but I'm trusting that the Spirit put it there for a reason. Dangerous, I know.

In a borderland, Jesus heals 10 lepers; one turns back and loudly praises God and Jesus, saying thank you! This is more than a mere "thank you" like what I say whenever I get my coffee order because I'm Midwestern. Have a listen, I hope it helps you on your way.

With apologies to George Michael, and for showing my age in the title, here's the Friday Edition. Forgiveness is hard. Following Jesus is harder. Good thing it's not up to us, as much as we wish it were. " I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gif...

2 parables packed into this little Gospel text from Luke 15:1-10. Luke 15:1-10

Greetings! I've been on hiatus with vacation and Churchwide Assembly, but the podcast is back and today we talk about Jesus healing a crippled woman in Luke 13. The Gospel Text We Shall Be Free

What does it mean to be a neighbor? We are hard-wired to be neighborly, but there are limits and those are hard-wired in as well. Sunday's Gospel Text Survival of the Kindest Fred Rogers Dakota Road Music

Thoughts and musings for this upcoming Sunday, the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C. The Gospel reading is Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 The Poem from St. Teresa of Avila The Poem from Wendell Berry

Don't look back, you might lose track of where you are headed. Gospel text Luke 9:51-62

A little processing of the Gospel of Luke 9:51-62. A good article about Samaritans Mount Gerizim is the place where the Samaritans continue to worship to this day. The International Harvester 3388

A sermon on the Gerasene demoniac. Special thanks again to   Dakota Road Music !!!

Jesus just calms the storm and now pigs are jumping off cliffs! What would Jesus do, you might ask? Well, he'd get back into the boat, but not before sending someone on his way. Special thanks to our podcast musicians, Dakota Road Music! Larry Olson - I'm On My Way Dakota Road Music Canotila - pronounced Cha-ohn-tila

Today's Gospel Text - John 16:12-15 Here is some additional reading if you care to do so: Anna Madsen's Sermon on the Holy Trinity The Kaibab Deer Problem Mitakuye Oyasin

This coming Sunday is Holy Trinity Sunday where we celebrate how God interrelates as Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier and relates to us. (The dated Batman reference in the title has nothing to do with this podcast. I'm not even sure why I put it there. Oh well.)