Presbymom

I feel like I’m running a race. This is a different race because the course is unknown. When will I encounter the next uphill battle or a surprised blessing of downhill stretch. There are parts of this race where I feel very lonely. As a runner, this is to be avoided at least for me. Much of my motivation comes from partners alongside me, coaches building me up and a bit of competition to push me further. In this unknown course, it is frustrating not knowing if I am doing a short or long distance. I am pretty sure that I have blown past the 5K comfort level into the 10K I was growing into and pushing at a half marathon. I tremble at the thought of an Ultra that goes on more than I can imagine in distance.  How do we plan to run the race at a pace that works for us individually? I normally run with folks who can go much further and faster, but there are people who are simply not accustomed to any type of run at all. AS a society, our preparation level for pandemic is...

John 6:35-40   Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  36  But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.  37  Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away;  38  for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.  39  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.  40  This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.” Matthew 26 : 26  While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”  27  Then he took a cup, and after givin...

In pondering how to observe Lent in these weird days, I read The Outlook Lenten devotional for today by Jill Duffield on the words from Matthew 5:3-8. Her words caught me as particularly fitting and relevant. Here are my ponderings from  Matthew 5:3-8  (NRSV) 3  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5  “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7  “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. What is a blessing? My first thought these days is when someone sneezes into their elbow near me, do I still say bless you and mean it, or do I glare and reach for the nearest sanitizer that they have dared to spread their germs in MY space? There is a Facebook meme going aroun...

Matthew 14:22-33 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,  24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.  27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”  28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.  30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”...

Before reading the Matthew text, I invite you to tie this scripture to what you have just heard from Exodus. These two mountaintop experiences are not grouped together haphazardly but both involve God speaking directly to faith leaders, clouds, blazing fire – God’s glory revealed after six days. Jesus has just revealed to his disciples who he is and what he must go through. Listen for God’s Word in the Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.  2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.  3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.  4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, ...