Author Archives: patellison

A text – Philippians 2:5-11 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God,    did not regard equality with God    as something to be exploited,7 but emptied himself,    taking the form of a slave,    being born in human likeness.And being found in human form,8     he humbled himself    and became obedient toContinue reading “The Mind of Christ – Philippians 2”

A reflection: Many years ago I learned that If I wanted to understand power in a system, I should pay attention to energy. The Passion Story for this Sunday finds St. Luke masterfully describing power/energy and how it moves. 1. Look at the guards at the start. They have physical power over Jesus, and theyContinue reading “Whose Power Wins? Luke 22-23”

A text – Psalm 126 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,we were like those who dream.2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy;then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. 4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like theContinue reading “Restored Fortunes – Psalm 126”

A text – Philippians 3:4-14 4 even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law,Continue reading “Two Men Worth Reading”

A text – John 12:1-8 12 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet,Continue reading “Generosity – John 12:1-8”

A text – Psalm 32 1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 While I kept silent, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; myContinue reading “Confess and Be Forgiven – Psalm 32”

A text – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we no longer know him in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, thereis a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new thingsContinue reading “A New Creation – 2 Corinthians 5”

A text – Luke 15:1-3,11-32 15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of themContinue reading “Two Brothers and Us – Luke 15”

A text – Psalm 63:1-8 63:1  O God, you are my God; I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 63:2  So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 63:3  Because yourContinue reading “Cling to God – Psalm 63:1-8”

A text – Isaiah 55:1-9 55:1  Hear, everyone who thirsts; come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 55:2  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your earnings for that which does notContinue reading “A God Who Calls Us – Isaiah 55:1-9”