A few weeks ago I opened my e-mail and there was a question from one of you: What does the word “righteous” mean? you asked. Even after all these years, even though I know better, when I hear the word “righteous” I can’t help thinking “self-righteous.” But “righteous” as it’s used in the Bible means “right relationship.” So to be righteous means to be in right relationship with others. The word is used in today’s second reading, where James writes: But the wisdom from above is first pure, … [Read more...]

Having just heard two miracle stories from Mark’s gospel, here’s my question for you: How many of you have done in the past—or are able to do now—what you just heard Jesus do? No one? By the time we leave worship I’ll ask the question again and I predict—at least I hope!—that every hand will go up! As we’ve seen so many times in the four gospels, Jesus is on the road, making minds and bodies well. As the people in today’s reading proclaim, He has done everything well; he even makes the … [Read more...]

I have to admit that when Pat & Anna asked if we could celebrate Eleanor’s baptism this weekend I was skeptical. Labor Day weekend, the first Sunday in September, the 14th Sunday in Pentecost, is not one of those Sundays that the Lutheran church recommends as especially appropriate for baptisms. Sundays that celebrate the baptism of Jesus, or John the Baptist, and especially, Easter—these traditionally have been the Sundays to celebrate baptisms. But when I looked up the readings for … [Read more...]

Even in the vast spaces of the American West, driving 1300 miles can seem like forever! So on my journey through Idaho and Eastern Washington a couple of weeks ago I brought along books on disk to listen to. It was a good move—I was able to finish two and a half books while driving! One of the books was The Year of Living Biblically; it made the best- seller list a few years back. The author, A.J. Jacobs, is a man who decided to live for an entire year as closely and as literally as possible … [Read more...]

One week ago today, at first light, I tossed my backpack and a duffle bag into the back of our car. Minjing and I then drove to Ballard where I met up with other climbers who would be my companions for three days as we attempted to summit Glacier Peak, one of Washington’s five volcanoes. But on the drive to Ballard I had the feeling I was missing something. I pulled off to the side of I-5 and checked; sure enough—I was missing one of my trekking poles. Later Minjing found it lying on our … [Read more...]

The phrase "I am the bread of life" starts a pattern of "I am..." statements which runs through the gospel of John. But these aren't the only "I am..." statements that God makes to us. They are part of a pattern that reaches all the way back to the prophet Moses and continues on with us today when Jesus speaks a unique "I am..." statement to each one of us. … [Read more...]

by Dianne Johnson … [Read more...]

There was an item in the news this past week about the effect of computers on sleep. When used at night, the bright light from television screens, computer screens, tablets and smartphones can cause insomnia. We can add this to a list that includes alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Any one of these can make it difficult to get a good night’s rest. Any combination of these makes it that much more difficult; add to that the stresses and worries of our everyday lives. Given the choices we make it’s … [Read more...]

This past Friday we found out through the news that before he died Peter Keller left behind a video explaining why he did what he did. Peter Keller is the man who killed his wife and daughter, burned down his house and then holed up in a bunker he constructed outside of North Bend. Peter Keller was out to build his own little kingdom. In the video Keller said he looked forward to a future that would be exciting. He said, “I don’t have to worry about my family and everything will be taken care … [Read more...]

Minjing and I enjoy detective stories. Tonight, for example, we eagerly look forward to the return of Inspector Lewis and his able assistant, Sergeant James Hathaway, on PBS. One of our favorite detectives is Sherlock Holmes and his good friend Dr. Watson. First in books, then on TV, and now in movie theaters, Sherlock Holmes is able to crack cases that others find impossible. But he doesn’t place much confidence in luck and he doesn’t have much patience with guesswork. Sherlock Holmes has a … [Read more...]