Author Archives: Dave

Entering Adulthood Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 The nights were deathly quiet. We never sawthe underclass at dark. Invisible deeds,professionally drawn by cordial men, keptour slumber safe, our world a safe cocoon.Depression-haunted parents pampered usinto the sixties. The gaunt face of povertythat … Continue reading →

The Big Nothing Joshua 3:7-17 What happens to the indigenous peoplesliving in someone else’s promised land?We never know because they are slaughtered or erased forever as a culture.Nothing to see here—their story is a big nothing. Historians connect the dots … Continue reading →

Pilgrim Matthew 22:34-46 Come home, come home to the simple life:Love God with all your heart,with all your soul and with all your strength.This is the first and greatest rule. Come home, come home to the holy life:Love your neighbor … Continue reading →

Macedonia and Achaia 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Looking out over the caramel landscape,the least of the apostles announced,Upon this blade of grass, I build my church. Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost, Year AOctober 22, 2023

Arguing Over the Kids Exodus 32:1-14 My children? These are your children!It was by your poweryou freed them from bondage. What will the Egyptians sayif you set your children freeonly to destroy them in the wilderness? And what about your … Continue reading →

Memory One day tells its tale to another,and one night imparts knowledge to another.Although they have no words or language,and their voices are not heard,their sound has gone out into all lands,and their message to the ends of the world. … Continue reading →

Therefore, My Beloved Philippians 2:1-13 My glass is filledwith dusk tonight…I swirl the west and think of youand sip the starsdown to the stem. Eighteenth Sunday after PentecostOctober 1, 2023

As a Rose Unfolds Itself Philippians 1:21-30 Stunned to hear your marriage is falling apart,I look to see you sad, defeated, but no!You are energized—fired up and ready to go.The unencumbered life gladdens your heart. As a rose unfolds itself,there … Continue reading →

The Smartest Guy in the Room Romans 14:1-12 It took me a while to noticethe chip on his shoulder.He never made a sceneand yet he silently saw himselfas the smartest guy in every room.He sized up each manby noting the … Continue reading →

Adorning the Poor With Victory Psalm 149 What happens after the Lordwreaks vengeance on the nations? What happens after the Lordbinds the kings in chainsand their nobles with links of iron? What happens after the Lordinflicts on them the judgment … Continue reading →

Paul’s Bullet List Romans 12:9-21 Do the following: When you are dealing with your enemies, be kind to them. For example, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I … Continue reading →

Why Caesarea Philippi? Matthew 16:13-20 What better place to ask the question—Who do you say that I am?—than the well-traveled intersectionfor politics, religion, and trade,Caesarea Philippi. Armies are tramping through all the timeand it’s the trade route between Damascus and … Continue reading →

Young Love Psalm 133 1. A Woman in Love It must be love that fills the sky!Whenever I think of him,even a storm is fair beyond belief. 2. A Man in Love Love has dyed my heart the color of … Continue reading →