Rev. Zach

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23     James 2:1-17     Mark 7:24-37 As some of you may know, I have from time to time taken to studying scripture in coffee shops instead of my office.  Something about the buzz of human interaction makes the gospel come alive.  Certainly there are distractions, but none of them have the weight of property issues or administrative tasks. One such day I overheard two women talking about their past and current struggles.  They were both displaced by Katrina, and probably in their late 40’s.  One of them, who called herself Karen, noted my Bible and asked for prayer.  She was living on Social Security while getting certified as a medical transcriptionist.  I did pray with her, but I did not share the poem they inspired.  It seemed a bit much to tell a stranger that I wrote a poem about her, but I’ll share it with you now.  It was raining that day, so the title of the poem is Rain. I hear a wo...

James 1:17-27     Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Athletic products have some of the best motivational slogans.  As I reflect on the last few weeks of readings in Ephesians and John, I can’t help but think about the slogans “Is it in you?” and “Just do it.”   Both of these come to mind when I think about the last several weeks of scripture readings.  For five weeks, we’ve been talking about Jesus as the Bread of Life.  We have been talking about incarnation theology – that is the idea that God is made manifest in you and me through Jesus Christ.  Those are some mighty fancy words.  I don’t mean to suggest that you or I do not understand them.  I mean to say that sometimes we like fancy words to make us feel good about our crumby world.  Of course there are many of us who understand those words but don’t quite feel up to them.  Maybe the idea of God peaking out through your eyes is a bit overwhelming.  Maybe you think that Go...

1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-43     Ephesians 6:10-20     John 6:56-69 I wonder how many of you are already tired of the political posturing and public debate that has gripped our nation?  And just think, the debates have only just begun.  Yay!  Politicians and pundits are sharpening their words to play upon our fears, to villainize their opponents, and to demonstrate their ability to save us from our next big crisis.  But don’t hate the player.  Hate the game. I have hope that God is still present, even in the imperfect and impure political systems we continue to abuse, reform, and venerate. Meanwhile our criminal justice system is on trial – with the finger pointing at “bad cops” or “agitators” or “profiteers” who have made an industry out of incarceration and fee collection – and the news media is feeding the fires of social media in such a way that it is hard to tell what stories are simply the result of a particular sit...

1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14     Psalm 111:1-10     Ephesians 5:15-20     John 6:51-58 Let’s get real.  That’s what people say when they feel that they have some undisputed – and uncomfortable – truth to share.  I think our readings approach that phrase in a different way.  I think they speak to us today about what it means to be “real” – to find and know and understand our identity and purpose. At least, that is where we begin with Solomon.  If you read chapters 1 and 2, you’ll get a little more detail.  In fact, you might find it to be like a Spark Notes version of the Game of Thrones (sex, betrayal, vengeful bloody transfer of power)!  In fact, the last several weeks of Old Testament readings have been like that.  The Psalms have complimented them, and have been woven between lament over our sinfulness and praise for the way in which God is always faithful – even when we are not. The letter to the Ephesia...