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What We Come to Do

Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, February 5, 2012

Dear colleagues in ministry, this week’s lessons offer hope for the weary, the wounded, the wanderer, and you. God loves you and wants to lift you up so that you can continue what you came to do. (Photo by Carl Chapman used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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You Are Invited

Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 15, 2012
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” asks Nathanael. Many folks today ask the same thing about the church. You are invited to open your eyes, to come and see. (Photo by Hans van de Bruggen used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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Time to Lighten Up!

Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent
December 11, 2011

Now that we’ve swept clean the corners of our heart and mind, this Sunday invites us to fill our souls with light, rejoicing in the knowledge that the Light of Christ is coming into the world and we can point others to it. (Photo by cupcakes2 used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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A Touch of Advent Humor

Ed Spivey Jr., art director and humor columnist for Sojourners, offers “Nine Tips to Help You Survive Advent.” This tongue-in-cheek list will give you a chuckle and illumine the true importance and meaning of this season. (Photo by Paul Holloway used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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Prayer as Priority

Everything we do as disciples should begin with prayer; that is simply good stewardship and an important spiritual discipline. Here’s a fine short article from Christine Sine (from the Sojourners website) that would make a good devotional or starting point for your stewardship committee. Photo by Randy OHC used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!

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“What are you doing here, (Insert Name)?”

Lectionary Reflection for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, August 7, 2011
Even prophets get the blues sometimes. Elijah was ready to call it quits, but God comes to him in the silence to give new direction and hope. For us, like Elijah, it’s the listening that’s the hard part. (Photos of Mt. Sinai by Shannon Hobbs used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Pentecost

Go, Church!

Pentecost, Year A, June 12, 2011
Does Pentecost rank in its proper place among the “big three” Christian festivals in your context? If not, maybe it’s time to rethink the approach to this important day. (Photo by andycoan used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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A Spirituality of Fundraising

Renowned author of many books on the spiritual journey, Henri Nouwen re-envisioned fundraising as a path of spiritual growth. His book, “A Spirituality of Fundraising,” is recommended reading for stewards of life. In this interview, Nouwen discusses his ideas. (You can order the book and learn more about Henri Nouwen at www.henrinouwen.org.)

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Transformation is a 10-step journey

Researchers at the Barna Institute surveyed 15,000 Christians about their spiritual paths and concluded that despite wide-ranging cultural, economic and social blocks to growth, God transforms people involving a 10-step journey.  On which step are you and your church members? (Photo of steps of Godshill, Isle of Wight by amandabhslater, used by Creative Commons  license.)

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Faithful Living: A Biblical Ethic of Stewardship

With regard to financial stewardship, faithful living entails at least four things: 1) we acquire our money in God-pleasing ways; 2) we regard our money in God-pleasing ways; 3) we manage our money in God-pleasing ways; and, 4) we spend our money in God-pleasing ways. (Photo by WELSnet, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)