On Sunday we read Matthew’s version of Jesus’ baptism by John. What we didn’t read was what comes before Jesus takes this fateful plunge. However strange he is, we’re no stranger to the character of John the Baptist. Most recently we highlighted his qualities of humility and authenticity a few weeks ago on the second Sunday of Advent. All the…

Yesterday I spent the morning writing a lovely reflection on the gift and blessing of Epiphany. Coupled with excerpts from a beautiful poem by Jan Richardson, I reflected on how the star only guided the magi to the halfway point of their journey. I considered what it meant that it was a dream that directed and…

Last winter, my dream for the church was to have a church retreat this year to begin crafting a vision and dream for this church community. We actually began the conversation at our annual meeting when we read and discussed our church covenant. But then the pandemic happened and put those plans on hold. With…

Starting two years ago, I found myself writing David a letter about once a month. I jokingly told him I needed to write more letters in case I ever got famous my biographers would have something to collect, compile, and analyze. The truth was, I’d often find myself thinking about him and would want to share what was…

I came across this song in one of my many searches for music that speaks to the scripture on my heart. In the haunting and heavy quality of this song, I heard similar refrains to the heartbreaking lament and soul-wrenching challenge Job directs toward God. As I’ve been sitting with Job for the past couple weeks, I wasn’t surprised…

I know the season of Eastertide is officially over. We turned the corner back into ordinary time at the end of May with the celebration of Pentecost. But in this time of continued social upheaval, economic uncertainty, and political disappointment, I’m still clinging to the power of resurrection. I think I still find myself reflecting on…

On Monday evening I watched as protesters marched around downtown Naperville. There had been peaceful protests earlier in the day, and this one started off peaceful enough. I watched as a few organizers gave instructions and asked the crowd to hold each other accountable—to look out for each other and not break windows, destroy property,…

When I was in my office at the church before service this past Sunday, I happened to notice how my desk calendar was still on March. And then when I was leaving my office after the service, I realized my winter wreath was still hanging on my office door. I hadn’t swapped it out for the spring wreath because I’ve…

WARNING: I’m able to reference an old baseball movie so I apologize to those who are missing baseball and those who didn’t see this movie. I included a clip of the referenced scene below if you want to check it out. In the 1993 classic baseball movie, Rookie of the Year, a seasoned pitcher is charged with giving a pep talk to…

I know time is a fuzzy concept these days as normal routines have been upended. So I hope sending out the church email a day early isn’t too confusing. I promise it’s for a good reason. For many years, the first Thursday in May has been recognized as a National Day of Prayer. And since tomorrow is the first Thursday…