Articles by Nanette Sawyer

Blogging Toward Sunday

Some angles on the binding of Isaac

Genesis 22:1–14

Jun 20, 2011 by Nanette Sawyer

Violence. Danger. Fear. Trust. Betrayal. Salvation. Ethics. They're all invoked in the story of the binding of Isaac. Here are a couple different points of entry into this difficult passage.

Living by the Word

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Genesis 22:1–14

Jun 14, 2011 by Nanette Sawyer

A father told about the tornado that hit his home in April. Racing to his son's room as it approached, he had just touched his son when suddenly the tornado ripped off the side of their house and pulled his eight-year-old son out into the night. The father and mother held on to their other children and cried out prayers to God.

Blogging Toward Sunday

God in spirit

Genesis 1:1–2:4a; Psalm 8; Matt. 28:16–20

Jun 13, 2011 by Nanette Sawyer

In my church we've been exploring the idea that God is fully present in each person of the Trinity. Recently our focus has been on the Holy Spirit. On Trinity Sunday, a week after Pentecost, it might be fruitful to consider the implications of this full presence of God in the Spirit.

Living by the Word

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Genesis 1:1–2:4a; Matthew 28:16–20

Jun 07, 2011 by Nanette Sawyer

My church was celebrating a re­affirmation of baptism, and the pastor encouraged us to ask people who were present at our baptism to tell us about it. I called my mom and asked what she remembered. "I don't think you were baptized," she said. "Really?" I responded. "Could you check with Dad? It's kind of important." She did, and they decided that I hadn't been baptized. I was 37.

Blogging Toward Sunday

It's not about Jezebel

1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a; Galatians 2:15-21; Luke 7:36-8:3

Jun 07, 2010 by Nanette Sawyer

Jezebel has become a cultural symbol for treachery, seduction, immorality and idolatry. A Google search for her name brings up four million hits—more than twice the hits for “Ahab." Why so much focus on Jezebel?

Blogging Toward Sunday

Tough questions

1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-24); Galatians 1:11-24; Luke 7:11-17

Jun 01, 2010 by Nanette Sawyer

Biblical narrative evokes the emotional depth of human experience and brings forward core questions about life. In this week’s Old Testament reading, the widow fully expects to die—and soon, because of a drought in the land.

Blogging Toward Sunday

Beauty in balance

Matthew 6:24-34

May 19, 2008 by Nanette Sawyer

When Jesus talks about making wealth our “master,” sometimes he is speaking to the peasants who may not have bread to eat, and at other times he is speaking to the collaborators with the Roman Empire who are able to accumulate wealth for themselves. Somehow he addresses both groups simultaneously and leads them all toward the justice and peace of the kingdom of God.

Blogging Toward Sunday

When I was a boy

Genesis 1:1-2:4

May 11, 2008 by Nanette Sawyer

Biblical language about God often reflects the patriarchal cultures in which that language was crafted, but every once in a while we get a glimpse of a God who transcends male identity. In Isaiah, God comforts us like a nursing mother comforts her child. Jesus said that he wished to gather up the people of Jerusalem like a mother hen gathers up her chicks.

Blogging Toward Sunday

Euphoric with hope

Acts 2:1-21

May 05, 2008 by Nanette Sawyer

A pastor was having a difficult time reading the book of Acts because she kept thinking about the imperial context in which it is set. How is her/our understanding of the story changed if we keep in mind that Jerusalem falls well within the bounds of the Roman Empire?

Blogging Toward Sunday

Cloud rider

Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:44-53

Apr 28, 2008 by Nanette Sawyer

After Jesus has been taken up in a cloud , the “men in white” convey a message of hope to the disciples: this Cloud Rider will return in the same way they saw him go. The cloud that carried Jesus away was the power and presence of God, the Ancient of Days. It is a powerful metaphor for God, and reminds us of other metaphors, and other encounters.

Blogging Toward Sunday

A majestic and intimate God

Acts 17:22-31

Apr 20, 2008 by Nanette Sawyer

In his speech at the Areopagus Paul proclaims:

God is the creator of everything.

God is not limited by (does not live in) human-made things.

God does not need anything from human beings.

Humans all come from one ancestor (or one blood) and are all God’s offspring.

Blogging Toward Sunday

How do I love thee?

John 14:1-14

Apr 13, 2008 by Nanette Sawyer

How Do I Love Thee? Let me count the ways.