Wondering Presbyterian

            I lead a small group Bible study on Wednesdays. We call ourselves “WOW” for Word on Wednesday. It’s one of my favorite things to do because sitting together in that space and sharing thoughts and ideas while reading scripture together is invaluable to me. I learn so much in the process of preparing the class discussions and I hope everyone there learns things, too. I value the time we spend together – and not every conversation we’ve had has been cookie-cutter or easy! Right now we’re working through the Apocrypha, which I haven’t really spent much time in since my Old Testament class in college. So, I’m learning as much planning the lessons as they are hearing me teach them.             Reading the Bible in a group is a thing we can do to grow as disciples. It’s one thing to read the Bible alone and come to our own conclusions, and it’s good to spend time in pers...

            38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)             I wonder about Mary. I’ve read fictionalized versions of the Mary’s life story, including The Handmaid and the Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg. I’ve also read Bible study narrative about Mary, like The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs. In all the stories, the same three things seem to be true: Mary was young, Mary was chosen, and Mary was willing.             Mary, Theotokos, literally Greek for, “Mother of God.” Was Mary strong? Was Mary beautiful? Who’s to say? Perhaps, in her young teenage years, she had as many pimples as I did. Of all the things we know about Mary – and even that is precious little – we know she was young, she was chosen, and...

7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. –James 5:7-10             Advent reminds me that I am not a patient person.             Since becoming a pastor, I’ve learned to have the bulk of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. I cannot abide parking lots inundated with shoppers. I get incredibly anxious being in a line with a lot of other anxious impatient people. Last year I was at the post office waiting in...