be strong, and let your heart take courage

"...be strong, and let your heart take courage.." (Ps 27:14) 

inviting conversation about Psalm 27 this morning, verse by verse. 

Along with NRSV translation, we're also using Eugene Peterson's paraphrase: 
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+27&version=MSG

what's in a name? calling?

considering calling (I.e., what it means that we're called by God) while also having fun with what 'what's in a name' and what it means to receive a nickname or new name (E.g., Simon being renamed Peter by Jesus) - pregnant with possibility, they can be poignant as well as prophetic.  E.g., at birth, The Rev. Dr. King was named 'Michael' Luther like his father. But, after an educational church trip to Germany in 1934, his father changed their names to 'Martin' Luther in remembrance of a great reformer of the church.

washed-n-ready

no brand-loyalty inferred here,I’m just reconsidering the imagery of Dove soap this morning, on this Feast of The Baptism of our Lord.
What if every morning shower were a reminder of baptism?
No stain survives cleansing by the Spirit.
As Jesus was, anyone... all of us...
can be washed,
initiated into our spiritual family,
and made ready for mission.

Image by Dave Zelenka

guided by the longer-life light

We’ve been so proud 

of the light bulbs shining over our heads 

for centuries – blindingly bright ideas. 

At least as much, let’s celebrate 

the longer-life light radiating from our hearts, 

an incarnate love 

that God dawned on ALL of us 

over two millennia ago 

– our continually compassionate compass.

[on this eve of the feast of The Epiphany]