Luke 10:25-42, Psalm 15 This is the first Sunday of Lent. We went into the first pandemic lockdown during Lent last year. I have been remembering parts of that. As March approaches and the 1-year anniversary of the pandemic starting here approaches, we are all going to remember. I encourage you to be gentle with yourselves. This is a life-changing event that is ongoing and affecting the entire world. Lent is a time of self-reflection and penitience. Often we give up som

“You are dust and to dust you shall return.” - Genesis 3:19 We mark the beginning of Lent with ashes. During Lent, we enter a period of self-reflection and repentance. We often call this dying to self, but it’s really dying to the parts of our lives that are not of God. We practice this through the six weeks of Lent, looking forward to Easter and the resurrection when we celebrate new life in Christ. By turning away from, letting go of, shedding parts of our lives that ar

Luke 9:28-45, Psalm 36 (Narrative Lectionary Year 3) I am starting my fifth year at Briarwood and this is the first time I am preaching on Transfiguration Sunday. The Transfiguration passage has always been a strange one to me. I haven’t known what to make of it. I have come to a new appreciation for this passage as I studied Luke 9:28-45 this week. Many sermons on the Transfiguration focus on Peter and say that Peter got it wrong, that he should not have suggested buildi

“Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’” - Mark 9:24 I recently listened to a podcast interview with Brian McLaren about his new book, Faith After Doubt (https://www.pulpitfiction.com/notes/tns8-6). One of the things that he said that really stuck with me is that doubt is a skill. I’ll say that again: doubt is a skill. We often think that doubt is a weakness that needs to be rooted out of our being with all haste. But, Brian McLaren

The Call to Prayer Turn to YHWH, to God’s strength, and seek God’s presence constantly. 1 Chronicles 16:11 The Request for Presence Hear my prayer, O YHWH; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me on the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily on the day when I call. Psalm 102:1-2 The Greeting If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Death, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits