Every Round Goes Higher, Higher

(next in the series Lessons in the Beginning) Texts on Sunday, September 18, 2005Genesis 38: 1-30; Matthew 28: 16-20 There’s a phrase people throw about as if it were gospel: The end doesn’t justify the means. No? It had better! When people invoke that little proverb,...

The God Behind God

(next in the series Lessons in the Beginning) Texts on Sunday, September 4, 2005Genesis 18: 17-33; Luke 13: 1-5 In the meeting room at Attica prison twice each week, fifteen to twenty inmates sit down with four or five volunteers from CEPHAS for a conversation. When I...

Forgiveness and the Face of God

(next in the series Lessons in the Beginning) Texts on Sunday, August 28, 2005Genesis 33: 1-20;   Matthew 5: 43-48 I met a bright, open boy yesterday named Jacob. I told him I am a minister and that for some weeks, my church and I have been reading and learning from...

Constantly Greater Beings

(next in the series Lessons in the Beginning) Texts on Sunday, August 21, 2005Readings: Genesis 32: 3-30;  Philippians 2: 5-11 “I want you to write down your three earliest memories,” the psychologist said. My seminary training was almost over and the Presbytery’s...

A Stone for a Pillow

(next in the series Lessons in the Beginning) Texts on Sunday, August 7, 2005Genesis 28: 6-7, 10-19a      Mark 6: 30-37a By deceiving his blind father, Jacob stole the blessing which rightfully belonged to his older brother Esau. Now, terrified of his brother’s wrath,...