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       info@stewardshipoflife.org

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The Welcome Table

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RCL reflection, 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, Proper 23, Oct. 15, 2017
Evidence of God’s abundance is all around us, and yet many of us – and a lot of our congregations – live out of sense of scarcity, fearing that there will not be enough for us, much less for anyone else. Our challenge, this week and every week really, is to help people live into the reality of God’s provision, care, and abundance. In bread and wine, in word and deed, we are fed richly. There is more than enough for all and an open invitation to come to God’s table. (Photo: TEDManhattan, Creative Commons)

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Cultivate a Harvest of Grace and Gratitude

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RCL reflection, 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, October 8, 2017
A stewardship question worth asking about this week’s gospel lesson is just how are we tending the fruits of God’s vineyard? Are we working together–tenant/grower and representative of the landowner–to produce the best possible yield? Are we cultivating sweet grapes of grace or extracting all that we can without thought for others in a harvest of wrathful choices and selfish gain? Do we sow gratitude at every chance? (Photo: Julianna, Creative Commons)

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Words, Actions, and the Goodness of God

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RCL Reflection, 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, October 1, 2017
As people called to love God and neighbor, our sinfulness and poor choices often affect others. We are called to be faithful and good stewards of everything—our time, talent, and resources, even of one another. We are called to be people of actions and not empty words. We are called to recognize that God desires good for all of creation, and that we are partners in that ongoing effort. (Photo: highersights, Creative Commons)

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Just Give Already!

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RCL Reflection, 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19, Year A, September 24, 2017
When I hear the words of Jesus in this Sunday’s parable, I am reminded of the problem we have with generosity. We want to control it, to manage it, and to conform it to our vision of what and who is worthy of it. God’s generosity doesn’t work that way at all. God is lavish with all of creation. Even the last and the least are worthy of God’s love and saving grace, of care and concern, and of a place at the bounteous table of blessing. (Photo: Jim Fischer, Creative Commons)

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The Work of Forgiveness

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Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19, Year A, September 17, 2017
this forgiveness work is tough stuff and a tall order. It may take 77 attempts at forgiveness to finally let the hurt and anger and pain go. Like so much of the discipleship life, forgiveness seems to be more a process and less a destination. God is merciful and just even as we bicker and squabble and try to let go. As the poet William Langland said centuries ago “”All the wickedness in the world that man might do or say was no more to the mercy of God than a live coal dropped in the sea.” We humans aren’t there because we aren’t God. We just keep practicing until we get it right, until we are freed from our own prisons of jealousy, hatred, doubt, fear, and anger. (Photo: timlewisnm, Creative Commons)

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The Rhythm and Rest of Creator, Creation, and Created

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Narrative Lectionary for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Four, September 10, 2017
What words and images stand out to you in this week’s lesson from Genesis? For me it’s the idea of creating, the power of speaking and Word/words, of proclaiming all that is created to be good, of celebrating the creation, and of resting from the work of creation. It’s a divine rhythm as natural as drawing breath and exhaling—both active and reflective. Best of all, God invites us into relationship so that we are part of the dance. (Photo: stuart, Creative Commons)

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Messy Discipleship

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Revised Common Lectionary reflection for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 18, Year A, September 10, 2017
Ministry is messy; this is fact. There is no way to be intimately involved in the work of God without getting dirt under our fingernails and confronting the debris of broken lives and dreams. The key is all in how we handle it. Do we practice love or do we give in to gossip? Do we dare remove our safe masks and let others see our true and vulnerable selves? Are we real, or are we who we “think” we ought to be? Are we able to reflect God and God’s love for creation in both our being and our actions? (Photo: Frame It Photography, Creative Commons)

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Gathered at the Table of Grace

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Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, September 3, 2017
In approaching the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion from a stewardship perspective it is always helpful to remember that Jesus is Lord and host. We are simply servers and guests at the table. Whether the meal resembles fine dining or the family table is not so much the point. Instead, we might do well to ask whether we are setting a table that is welcoming and worthy of the Lord of Life. What is our motivation? Who is this feast for? What is its purpose? (Photo: Randy OHC, Creative Commons)

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Getting ‘Crossways’ with Jesus

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RCL reflection for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17, Year A, September 3, 2017
Human nature is not naturally inclined toward denial of self. In fact, our culture teaches us to seek satisfaction and take care of our own needs first. Jesus preaches a different way, one that will most certainly include suffering, self-denial, AND full investment. In fact, Jesus calls us to get “crossways” with him by losing our lives for his sake. Doing so comes with the promise that we will find life. Are you ready? (Photo: Tim Green, Creative Commons. Thanks!)

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Come to Christ’s Table!

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Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, August 27, 2017
Holy Communion is the great equalizer. All are welcome. All are fed. We all come as beggars. We are sinners in need, yet forgiven beloved indeed. If that’s not reason to celebrate and give thanks, I don’t know what is. Come to the feast!