Scripture
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A Sunday (11) in the Life of a Pastor/Mother: Spring Forward
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Ecclesiastes 3.1) I’m convinced that Daylight Savings Time is some cruel joke on either parents or pastors. And if you are both, then it is doubly cruel, especially when you lose an hour. Daylight Savings Time only seems to affect pastors…
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Help the Children: Empower or Save?
13 Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. 14 “Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” 15 Then he blessed the children and went away from there. (Matthew 19.13-15) Recently, there…
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A Sunday (10) in the Life of a Pastor/Mother: Jesus & 3 Year Olds
41Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for Passover. 42And when Jesus was twelve years old, they all went there as usual for the celebration. 43After Passover his parents left, but they did not know that Jesus had stayed on in the city. 44They thought he was traveling with some other people, and they went a whole day…
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Interactive Prayer Stations for Lent II
1 Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. (Luke 4.1) Lent is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on one’s spiritual and faith journey. There are many themes you could focus on. This particular one focuses on the word “journey.” Below are ideas for…
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A Sunday (9) in the Life of a Pastor/Mother: Improvise
9 The headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine. He didn’t know where it came from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. (John 2.9) I can relate to this scene where a dilemma presents itself, in this case, they ran out of wine. And Jesus saves the day by turning water into…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Lent
1 Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. (Luke 4.1) Lent is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on one’s spiritual and faith journey. There are many themes you could focus on. This particular one focuses on the word “journey.” Below are ideas for…
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A Sunday (7) in the Life of a Pastor/Mother: Hospitality
19 We love because God first loved us. . . . 21 This commandment we have from him: Those who claim to love God ought to love their brother and sister also. (1 John 4.19, 21) This morning, my daughter and I sported the side ponytail. Lately, she has been wanting to copy me in putting on lipstick,…
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My Charge to the Presbytery of San Francisco
3 I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. 4 I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy.5 I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now. 6 I’m sure…
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A Sunday (5) in the Life of a Pastor/Mother: Community
Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds people up. (1 Corinthians 8.1) It’s been a while since I’ve preached. So, when I saw the options from the lectionary texts, I was scratching my head on deciding whether to preach on prophets, demons, or idols. I chose idols. Not because it was any easier than the three,…
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A Sunday (2) in the Life of a Pastor/Mother: Epiphany
“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2.10-11) Epiphany for me always feels like the…
