faith – Page 2 – Mother A Writes

Say Yes

Black and white image of a newborn baby being fed with a bottle. The baby is gripping the fingers of the adult hand holding the bottle.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 This sermon references a project by Nikalie Monroe (@nikalie.monroe). Nikalie’s project is controversial, and there are important nuances that are sometimes missing from the conversation when it is happening separately in silos of “church people” and “unchurched people”. I find Anne Helen Petersen’s article for her newsletter Culture Study to be aContinue reading “Say Yes”

What Resurrection Feels Like

Luke 20:27-38 As I return to you from the holy and devastating work of mourning a young person gone too soon, I’m clinging to the promise of the resurrection like a life raft far from shore. I have said before that I have no choice but to believe in the resurrection of the dead, becauseContinue reading “What Resurrection Feels Like”

We are All Saints

This sermon was given on the observance of the feast of All Saints (transferred) and on the occasion of the baptism of an adult. The readings of the day can be found here, but the content of this sermon focuses on the occasion itself. I recently heard a friend and colleague recounting her memory ofContinue reading “We are All Saints”

It’s a Beautiful Day to Yell at God.

Luke 18:1-8 A friend of mine recently shared an image with me of an abstract scene in which three figures are shaking their fists at the sky and shouting expletives toward the sun. The caption read “It’s a Beautiful Day to Yell at God.” Among other phrases, one figure cries out “Face us you coward!”Continue reading “It’s a Beautiful Day to Yell at God.”

Let us pray

A photo of an outdoor chapel in late summer greens and early fall yellows, with dappled sunlight peaking through

Luke 17:11-19 I am indebted this week to Mary Karr and Anne Lamott, both of whom have done much to shape my own prayer life. The essay by Mary Karr that is referenced here is “Facing Altars: Poetry and Prayer” found in the journal Poetry. Anne Lamott’s book Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential PrayersContinue reading “Let us pray”

Called & Equipped

Jeremiah 1:4-10 I recently learned that Jeremiah is often referred to by scholars as “the Weeping Prophet” because of how vulnerable, honest, and anguished he often is in the service of the Lord. Throughout the book of the Prophet Jeremiah, one of the longest books in the Bible, the prophet brings hard words to theContinue reading “Called & Equipped”

A Life of Getting Ready

Luke 12:32-40 I am always overtaken at this time of year by a deep sense of nostalgia for the back-to-school excitement. I remember fondly the aisles of fresh pencils and bright pens and folders and notebooks in every color under the sun. I loved the feeling of finding the perfect backpack and opening a brand-newContinue reading “A Life of Getting Ready”

Freedom & Costly Grace

Galatians 5:1,13-25 For freedom Christ has set us free. As the red, white, and blue decorations go up and the flags wave and we prepare for our own celebration later this week, the topic of freedom is timely. This nation in which we live and whose birth we remember on the 4th of July everyContinue reading “Freedom & Costly Grace”

Listening Together

John 16:12-15 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Right there, in red letters, the Bible tells us that God has more to teach us than what could be said in the brief time that God walked the earth in human flesh. Jesus promises the apostles thatContinue reading “Listening Together”

This Is The Hard Part

Acts 2:1-21 Last Sunday marked four years of ministry together, for me and you, and for the partnership between our two parishes in an official capacity. It marked four years of ministry for Ben at St John’s, and it’s been a little over four years since we moved into our home in downtown Lynchburg withContinue reading “This Is The Hard Part”