by Steve Thomason | Nov 29, 2015 | Devos
We continue our adventure through the Narrative lectionary this year by witnessing the final days of the Kingdom of Judah. Josiah’s reform bought the kingdom some time, but, after his death, the people reverted to the idol worship of Manasseh. God removed the...
by Steve Thomason | Nov 26, 2015 | Bible Doodle, Sketches, Visual Preaching
Last night Pastor Mark asked me to draw a sketch for Thanksgiving Eve during the service. We covered a 4’x8′ chalkboard with white paper and I drew with colored lecturer’s chalk. It illustrates the story in Luke 17:11-17 of the one man who returned...
by Steve Thomason | Nov 25, 2015 | How Do We Think?, Spiritual Formation, Spirituality in Adult Learning, Writing
Is there an intelligence of emotions, or do they just lead us blindly into brick walls or over cliffs? Shouldn’t we be strong and smart and able to make our own paths? Are emotional people, especially emotional men, who like to tell stories and create art...
by Steve Thomason | Nov 24, 2015 | Books - Preaching
It has been a long time since a book felt like a cool drink of water on a hot day, or sitting down on a comfortable chair after a long and weary walk, or sharing a good meal with safe people after days of hostile deliberations. Frederick Buechner’s book Telling...
by Steve Thomason | Nov 23, 2015 | sermons2015
A sermon for Christ the King Sunday from the Narrative Lectionary text Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5. What does God do when God’s children continually rebel and turn to self-destructive behavior? How do we balance Law and Grace in our lives and in our violent world?...
by Steve Thomason | Nov 22, 2015 | Art, Devos
There are two reasons for this post. First, the daily reading schedule for the Narrative Lectionary is updated for this week. Find it here. Second, please pray for us at Grace on Wednesday night. Pastor Mark invited me to create a large drawing during the...
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by Steve Thomason | Nov 18, 2015 | Dissertation, Personal Updates
If you heard a little psychic “Yippee!” it was probably me when I saw my dissertation bound and sitting on the shelf in the library at Luther Seminary. This journey began in February, 2007 when I heard a strange voice at 3:00am say, “Steve, move to...
by Steve Thomason | Nov 17, 2015 | Bible, Law and Gospel
Last week I posted an article called Theology of the Cross. The emphasis in that article was that the Good News of our salvation is that it is not based upon our ability to succeed in being righteous. The Gospel is an unconditional promise of God to restore all...
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by Steve Thomason | Nov 16, 2015 | Spiritual Formation
The month of October was very special in our congregation at Grace Lutheran Church. In August and September we took a film crew on location and asked four members of our congregation how they experienced God’s presence and activity in their everyday lives. We...
by Steve Thomason | Nov 14, 2015 | The Journey
This is the primary metaphor that shapes the first half of The...
