Text: Psalm 133:1-4 It was the first day in my new office. I organized my pens, situated my absolutely empty calendar, put paper in my typewriter (yes, typewriter!), angled the rotary dial telephone toward my right hand, and adjusted my swivel chair. Then, I nailed my freshly minted seminary diploma to the wall just behind me. I was looking for something, anything to make all this feel real. Up until that day, my life had been one of waiting on parents and teachers, professor

Text: Matthew 16:13-20 If you want to start a debate, read this story from Matthew 16. For years, Roman Catholics have argued that this is a story that explains apostolic succession. Meanwhile, Protestants have argued that this story is all about the power of testimony, of proclaiming Jesus as Lord. I read this story less from a theological angle and more from the angle of a parent. As a parent, I cannot help but wonder: “Jesus, what were you thinking?!” The one reliable thin

Text: Psalm 133 “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” These words from Psalm 133 nearly dance off the tongue. Listen hard and you can hear ancient Jewish pilgrims in full voice singing this song on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” It is a still a lovely sentiment, centuries later, but it is surely not the first psalm that comes to mind when I think of the year 2020. Quarantined i

Text: Genesis 32:22-31 How did you get your name? Who named you? What is the family lore about how you got your name? If Jacob were asked how he got his name, he might well respond, “Which name?” If anyone did not need another name, it was Jacob. He already had a host of names, all perfect fits: Jacob or The One Who Supplants or The Trickster or the Go-Getter at any cost. Each one is a fitting name for Jacob. From stealing the family birthright from Esau to duping doughty ole