Looking in the Mirror

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

I was in the 4th grade when I got my first pair of glasses. I remember being very disappointed when I could see everything clearly. The world was no longer soft and fuzzy; I could see all the rough edges and flaws. Greater self-awareness can sometimes lead to that same initial disappointment. An honest look at the shadow side can initially be hard or even disappointing, but the long-term benefit changes everything.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 13 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, August 2, 2026

Genesis 32:22-31 / Psalm 17:1-7, 15 / Romans 9:1-5 / Matthew 14:13-21

Summary of Psalm 17:1-7, 15

The psalmist pleads for justice, convinced of the rightness of his cause. He feels misunderstood, threatened, and surrounded by those who seem arrogant, violent, and without compassion. He longs to be vindicated and he pleads that God’s great love will rescue him from his callous, and wicked foes.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

We don’t know what circumstances David is facing; just that he is frightened, and probably overwhelmed with emotion. In moments like that we are naturally tempted to divide the world into heroes and villains. We instinctively identify with the righteous voice within while projecting our own villainess characteristics onto someone else. Our shadow carries the fears, wounds, anger, desires, and protective strategies we would rather not acknowledge. Ignoring those parts in us does not make them disappear. Surrendering to them does not bring freedom. The invitation to self-awareness is neither denial nor indulgence, but reflection and integration.

Paying attention to the inner dynamic leads to redemption rather than retaliation. We are more likely to be invited to the table of reconciliation than to the battlefield of destruction. And we may realize that the villain within, when actually welcomed into conversation, has some incredible wisdom, vision and insight that is worthy of consideration. When we look into the face of the shadow, we may actually see our own likeness.

This does not mean evil should be excused or harmful behavior ignored. Rather, it reminds us that the path toward wholeness begins with honest self-awareness. The parts of ourselves that first appear threatening often carry untold grief, hidden gifts, surprising creativity, or hard-earned wisdom. When welcomed into conversation instead of driven deeper into exile, they can become participants in healing rather than obstacles to it.

The final verse is intriguing. "When I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness." Perhaps awakening is the very work of the inner journey. As long as I divide the world into the righteous and the wicked, I remain asleep to my own projections. But as I courageously face the parts of myself I have labeled enemy—my anger, fear, pride, envy, or desire for revenge—I begin to discover something unexpected. Beneath both the persona I defend and the shadow I reject lies the authentic self, quietly bearing the likeness of the One who created me. Awakening is not discovering that I am the villain. It is discovering that God's image is deeper than both my virtue and my brokenness.

Dinner for Two

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

When you don’t have enough resources for everything you want, you have to make some tough choices. And when you have an abundance of resources and there are others in need, you again, have to make some tough choices. However, there are other times when you just can’t see the abundance of resources that are available for the needs that feel overwhelming. These are the moments that are pregnant with possibilities. I encourage you not to under estimate God’s provisions for the challenges you face.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 13 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, August 2, 2026

Genesis 32:22-31 / Psalm 17:1-7, 15 / Romans 9:1-5 / Matthew 14:13-21

Summary of Matthew 14:13-21

This passage contains the story of the miraculous feeding of the massive crowds with simply fives loaves of bread and two fish, enough for about two people.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

The feeding of the five thousand has been understood in different ways. Some see it primarily as a miracle that reveals the divinity of Jesus. Others view it as a picture of God’s abundance, multiplying what is willingly placed in God’s hands. Still others hear it as a story about the contagious nature of generosity, where one act of sharing inspires another until an entire community discovers there is enough. However we might understand the miracle itself, the turning point of the story comes in the exchange between Jesus and the disciples. The disciples see scarcity and want to send the crowds away. Jesus sees possibility and says, “You give them something to eat.”

The same conversation unfolds within us. The inner journey inevitably leads us into places where we feel inadequate. We encounter old wounds, protective patterns, fear, anger, and the quiet voices that insist we do not have what it takes to become whole. Like the disciples, we are tempted to focus on what is missing. We measure our resources against the size of the task before us and conclude that there simply is not enough. Yet the invitation of the Kingdom is to resist premature conclusions. The soul grows whenever curiosity becomes stronger than certainty. And spiritual imagination grows when hope remains open to creative possibilities.

This is one reason I value dreams so deeply. When we sleep, many of the defenses that shape our waking lives become less rigid. The dreaming mind often approaches old problems with surprising creativity, offering images and possibilities that our conscious mind might never consider. The inner journey teaches us to linger with those possibilities rather than rushing toward quick answers. As old ways of understanding ourselves begin to loosen, new ways of seeing gradually emerge. Transformation often begins, not when we acquire more resources, but when we discover that the resources we already possess can be used in ways we never expected.

Perhaps the greatest miracle in this story is not simply that five loaves and two fish became enough, but that Jesus invited his disciples to see abundance where they expected scarcity. What if we approached our own souls with that same generosity? What if we trusted that love has already planted within us enough courage to face our wounds, enough grace to meet our shadow, and enough hope to continue the journey home? The Kingdom of Heaven continually invites us to believe that we are more than our fears would have us believe, and that what is offered to love is never diminished, but multiplied.

Searching for the Promised Land

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

What stories come to mind when you think of the experiences that have formed you? Do you think of a move to new town? A teacher who had a significant impact on your view of the world? A disappointing family experience? An empowering success? Our stories, and how we tell them, help form our identity. All the stories matter, but we get to choose the ones that will shape our future stories.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 12 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, July 26, 2026

Genesis 29:15-28 / Psalm 105:1-11 / Romans 8:26-39 / Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Summary of Psalm 105:1-11

Psalm 105 invites Israel to remember its story. The psalm recounts God’s faithfulness from Abraham through the gift of the Promised Land, celebrating a covenant that spans generations. For ancient Israel, the land was more than geography. It represented belonging, identity, and the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the land alone did not shape Israel’s identity. The stories they told about God’s faithfulness gave meaning to the place they called home.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

Read only as history, the psalm can leave us with difficult questions. The promise for one people becomes the displacement of another, both in the ancient world and in our own time. While the biblical story deserves to be remembered historically, it also invites us to ask a deeper question: What is the Promised Land within us?

Perhaps the land of promise is the inner life we were created to inhabit. Each of us carries within a sacred landscape where love, courage, wisdom, creativity, and compassion quietly wait to flourish. Yet we also carry stories about ourselves—stories of failure, fear, rejection, success, or belonging. Those stories quietly shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

The inner journey invites us to remember our lives differently, discovering the steady thread of grace that has been present even when we could not see it. As our story changes, so does our experience of this inner home. The inner journey is not about conquering new territory as much as it is about coming home to the life that has always been calling us. And the only thing that is displaced is the distorted vision of the self that keeps us dependent, fearful, angry and debilitated.

As we remember our own story, we begin to see God’s faithfulness woven through every chapter—through joy and disappointment, freedom and captivity, clarity and confusion. The authentic self slowly emerges, not because we have earned it, but because we are learning to trust the One who has never stopped calling us by name. The true Promised Land is not merely a place we hope to reach someday. It is the life we gradually learn to inhabit as love becomes the deepest reality within us. Thanks be to God.

The Treasure of Love

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

Every White House Press Secretary has the near-impossible job of trying to explain (or spin) the actions of the executive branch of government in a way that is acceptable to those they serve. One might think that explaining the Kingdom of Heaven would be exponentially harder. But just the opposite is true. Quite simply, love is what the Kingdom of Heaven is, and what the Kingdom of Heaven does. It is the essential benchmark, and the only benchmark. Everything else is just spin.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 12 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, July 26, 2026

Genesis 29:15-28 / Psalm 105:1-11 / Romans 8:26-39 / Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Summary of Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Jesus strings together five brief parables, each offering a different window into the Kingdom of Heaven. At first they seem unrelated—a mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasure, a priceless pearl, and a fishing net—but together they describe the quiet, surprising, and transformative work of God’s Kingdom. When Jesus asks the disciples, “Have you understood all this?” they confidently answer, “Yes.” Whether they truly understood is another question, one that every disciple continues to explore.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

If we continue from last week’s reflection, then we begin with the conviction that the Kingdom of Heaven is centered on love. Like the mustard seed, love often begins almost unnoticed. What love inhabits, it also empowers. It is empowered to become fully what it was created to be. So, love empowers a mustard seed, not to become a giant redwood, but rather to become a mustard tree. As it matures, it becomes a place of refuge where others find rest. Like yeast hidden in dough, love works quietly from within. It does not transform one corner of the personality while leaving the rest untouched. It gradually leavens the whole life, shaping one’s thoughts, relationships, priorities, and actions from the inside out.

Once love is discovered, everything else is measured against it. It becomes the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price. It costs nothing because it is freely given, yet it asks for everything because it reshapes the way we live. As love grows, it also casts a net into the depths of the soul, revealing places where fear, resentment, control, or shame still linger. These discoveries are not invitations to condemnation but to transformation. Wherever love shines its light, healing has an opportunity to begin.

Jesus concludes by speaking of a disciple who brings out treasures both old and new. The inner journey does not require us to despise what came before. Our history, our family, our traditions, our wounds, and even our failures all become part of the story. The old is treasured for what it has taught us. The new is treasured for how it continues to transform us. Together they reveal a life that is becoming what it was created to be—a unique expression of the Kingdom of Heaven, quietly taking root on earth as love finds its home within the soul.

The Challenge to Know Yourself

Psalm Reading Reflection by Faith Taylor: mom / textile-artist / author / pastor / and much more

Dear Josephine, Rory, and Wesley,

Someday when you’re older, you’ll have a moment when you open your mouth and feel like I came out. I’ve had those moments with my mother, your Grammy. Fortunately, they’ve usually been funny little moments where I’ve been able to reflect on some of her quirkiness when I was growing up.

As much as I want you to grow into your own person, I also pray that when you have your “I sound like my mom” moment, it’s a good thing.

-Mama

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 11 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, July 12, 2026

Genesis 28:10-19a / Psalm 139:1-12,23-24 / Romans 8:12-25 / Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Summary of Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24

The psalmist praises God because of how intimately God has known the psalmist. Not only has God known him more than he’s even known himself, but there is nowhere the psalmist can go that’s beyond God’s Spirit.

The psalm closes with a prayer, asking God to know the psalmist’s heart and to lead him in the way everlasting.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

Am I allowed to poke a little fun at Dee on his own blog? If you know Dee, you know he’s passionate about dreams. However, it doesn’t take long into exploring dreams with him before you discover a secondary passion within that: Internal Family Systems (IFS).

For those who are unfamiliar with IFS, it is an evidence-based psychological framework developed by Richard C. Schwartz. Instead of viewing a person’s mind as “one” voice, it acknowledges that each person is a system of many different voices (“parts”) that are being led by one “Self” at the core.

Looking at today’s psalm, I cannot help but think about the intimate knowledge of myself that I’ve gained through this framework. In verse 4, the psalmist prays, “Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely.”

Have you ever said something and immediately wondered where those words came from? As an avid talker, that happens to me all the time. Sometimes the things I say feel like they’re coming from somewhere else entirely, especially when those words don’t line up with the core of who I am and what I believe.

Just as God knows the psalmist so intimately in this psalm, using that knowledge to protect and direct him, we’re able to use our own deeper knowledge of ourselves to shape our words and actions into those that align with who we want to be.

That’s all really abstract, so let me give a real example. I recently had a disagreement with a friend where things got emotionally charged far beyond the scope of the actual disagreement itself. I was extremely defensive and couldn’t even explain to myself, let alone him, why I was feeling and acting that way.

Part of knowing myself has meant taking the time to figure out what I’m actually upset about when a situation triggers me like that. By doing so, I am able to see that my words and actions were a response to a completely different event in my past. Knowing myself allows me to acknowledge how I feel, then take the time to respond to the situation at hand (lest I have another “where did those words come from?” moment).

Just as God shapes and leads the psalmist, we can shape and lead ourselves when we take the time to truly, intimately know ourselves.

Always Choose Love

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

Time is powerful. It eliminates options, while also expanding possibilities. It creates space for new insights, while also focusing attention through deadlines. It can expose poor decisions, produce unintended consequences, and prove our limitations. It is also a great judge of love, or lack thereof. Always choose love.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 11 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, July 19, 2026

Genesis 28:10-19a / Psalm 139:1-12,23-24 / Romans 8:12-25 / Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Summary of Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the weeds to describe one aspect of the Kingdom of Heaven. Good seed is sown in a field, but an enemy secretly sows weeds among the wheat. Rather than pulling the weeds immediately, the landowner allows both to grow together until the harvest, trusting that time will reveal the difference between what bears life and what does not.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

The past few weeks have brought an unexpected health crisis into my life. The kind that quietly reminds you of your mortality—and even prompts practical questions like whether your loved ones know where to find your passwords. It also reminded me of a chapel series I organized years ago called The Last Lecture Series. Each speaker was asked to imagine this was the final devotional they would ever give. As I sat with this week’s Gospel, I found myself asking the same question: If this were the last Lectionary Letter I ever wrote, what would I most want to say?

Perhaps the deepest insight of this parable is that time reveals what we cannot always see in the moment. The wheat and the weeds often look remarkably alike. The same is true within us. Some thoughts, habits, and ambitions arise from fear, woundedness, or the need to control. Others are rooted in love. We are often poor judges of which is which, especially in the middle of the growing season. But time has a remarkable way of revealing the fruit of every seed. What is born of fear eventually contracts. What is born of love expands. What is born of ego demands. What is born of grace gives life.

If these were my last words for this collection of Lectionary Letters, they would simply be this: cultivate whatever enlarges your capacity to love. Give love room to grow in every part of your inner life. Let it challenge your assumptions, soften your judgments, and shape your relationships. Time will expose what is temporary and what is eternal. Of all the seeds we scatter throughout our lifetime, only those planted in love continue bearing good fruit long after we are gone. So, always choose love.

Right vs. Feels Good

Dear Josephine, Rory, and Wesley,

Former First Lady Michelle Obama said it best: “When they go low, we go high.”

I wish I could say that taking the high road is always going to come naturally, but it doesn't. Sometimes your inner voices will cry out for retribution instead.

I promise you, from experience, that following God’s Light on your path will be worth it… even when the desire to be petty is pretty strong.

Mama (Guest Writer Faith Taylor)

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 10 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, July 12, 2026

Genesis 25:19-34 / Psalm 119:105-112 / Romans 8:1-11 / Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Summary of Psalm 119:105-112

Psalm 119 is a long psalm praising God’s Word and its goodness. Verse 105 holds words that may be familiar to many of us: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

This portion of the psalm continues on to further praise God for the Word - and how setting the psalmist's heart on God continues, despite the storms of life.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

When you look closely, there are lots of mixed feelings represented in this psalm. Sure, the main idea is still reflecting on the goodness of God’s Word.

However, life is not so straightforward and we hardly ever feel only one way about something.

Overall, the psalmist feels praise for the Word. Yet he also writes of being severely afflicted, needing to learn, and being hunted by the wicked.

I don't know about you, but parts of me feel least like following God's Word when I'm in major conflict with others - especially when I know that I'm in the right.

Just as the psalmist seems to have some wrestling between inclining his heart toward God and letting the stressors of life cause his feet to wander, we often have the same internal struggles between what is right and what feels “good.”

Our family had a very difficult personal and legal situation - one where the judge ultimately ruled in our favor.

When the dust settled, I felt God nudging me to reach out with an olive branch to the other party. We agreed to have dinner together - something several friends said they felt very uncomfortable about. In fact, the friends we were staying with were worried enough they wanted me to check in when possible.

I don't share this to have you pat me on the back. I share this because the parts of me that desired to do what was right were much louder than those that wanted to be extremely petty instead.

This internal struggle is frustratingly and beautifully human. The feelings of hurt and anger are completely valid and deserve acknowledgement and an outlet.

In the end, though, discerning between the cacophony of inner voices comes down to continually inclining our hearts toward God and God’s Word.

Seeds Everywhere

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

It is easy to get frustrated with yourself; old patterns, new defenses, rookie mistakes, and missed opportunities. And then it gets worse when you ruminate on what appears to be failure. However, it’s in this space that grace does its best work. In today’s parable it seems like the farmer never grows weary of spreading “new life” anywhere and everywhere. Oh that we might be as extravagant in our love toward ourselves.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 10 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, July 12, 2026

Genesis 25:19-34 / Psalm 119:105-112 / Romans 8:1-11 / Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Summary of Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

This is a parable that Jesus tells to a large crowd gathered along the seashore, but later explains its meaning privately to the disciples. At first, the story appears to prepare the disciples for the mixed responses they will encounter as they share the Good News. Some will receive it with joy. Others will reject it. Still others will allow it to be crowded out by life's competing priorities. Yet the sower continues to scatter seed generously, suggesting that the invitation of the Kingdom is offered without reservation. Nothing about the sower is selective. The Good News is for everyone.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

Seen through the lens of the inner life, perhaps the soils are not different groups of people but different landscapes of the soul within each of us. There are places in every soul where old wounds, fear, or the shadow quickly steal away new possibilities before they have time to grow. There are places where enthusiasm outruns depth, where difficult circumstances expose shallow roots, and where anxiety, ambition, or the pursuit of security slowly choke what once seemed full of promise. These are not signs of failure. They are invitations to greater awareness.

The goal of the inner journey is not to condemn the rocky places or uproot them by force. It is to bring them into the light, and to do so with curiosity and compassion. The hardened path, the shallow soil, and the thorn-filled ground all reveal something about the ways we have learned to survive. As they become conscious, they no longer remain obstacles. They become participants in our transformation. The very places that once resisted growth begin to teach us what the soul needs in order to flourish.

Good soil is not a reward for having a perfect personality. It is the fruit of an inner life that has become receptive to grace. The seed was never the problem. The invitation has always been present. As the Spirit gently cultivates every corner of the soul, even the difficult places begin to soften. The seeds of wholeness are not lost on bad soil, but instead expose the unconscious parts that long to be heard, and to participate in the transformation of new life. Nothing wasted. Nothing lost. Everything redeemed.

Independence Day

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

Rebellion takes on so many forms. It comes in the posters we make, the clothes we wear, the tea we throw in the Boston Harbor, the marches we walk, the jobs we quit or the rules we break. Rebellion from your family of origin may be the hardest and most important of all. To be your best, and to make the world a better place, I hope you break a few rules and learn to rebel well.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 9 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, July 5, 2026

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 / Psalm 45:10-17 / Romans 7:15-25a / Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Summary of Psalm 45:10-17

Psalm 45 is a royal wedding song. It may have been composed for a specific wedding, or for any wedding that was part of the line of kings that followed in King David's tradition. Generations later it would be used as a way to describe the Messiah (Hebrews 1). To the modern ear it may sound misogynistic, which makes sense given the ancient patriarchal context.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

Every journey of the soul eventually arrives at the doorway of individuation. This is the movement from what we have psychologically inherited to the place where we feel differentiated, or different, from that in which we have been raised or taught. We often think of differentiating ourselves from our family of origin, but we can also talk about individuating from our occupational culture, our political affiliation, or the norms of our friendship group.

In this psalm, the writer invites us to come out from under the protection of our family of origin and step into our own unique character and destiny. It is not a call to ignore the past, but rather to allow the beauty of our own ideas, perspective, gifts and calling to emerge and shape our future. We honor what formed us without allowing it to define us. The fruitfulness of this movement is on par with the riches of the most adorned city, and worthy of the courts of the most powerful kings.

Living into the unique nature of our soul can be a source of joy and gladness. However, there is inevitable pain in separating from what has been. And conflict often ensues as one voices ideas and opinions that push against the status quo. But that is the path of growth and change. And then, the other parts of the self are provided with opportunities to contribute to the expression of the soul.

We inherit beliefs, fears, loyalties and prejudices. Individuation does not mean that they are all bad, but it means they are all up for evaluation and examination. The old self is left behind, and even the parts that may be retained are viewed in a different way, because the soul is emerging with new eyes. The stabilizing part offers wisdom and continuity. The transformer side imagines new possibilities. The initiating energy provides the courage to leave familiar ground. The responder voice holds compassion for those who remain behind. Even the shadow contributes by revealing where fear still governs us. The emerging soul (the bride) moves away from the psychological house that has formed it, toward the place of integration (the inner palace).

From Fostering Inner Critics to Building Inner Cheerleaders

Dear Josephine, Rory, and Wesley,

More than anything, I want you to know the incredible peace and support that comes from having an abiding relationship with Christ.

But if I were to have a second want granted, it would be that you find peace within yourself long before the ripe old age of 30 when my journey toward inner health truly began. That confidence will help propel you through whatever life throws your way… even when I can’t be there to cheer you on.

-Mama

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 9 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, July 5, 2026

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 / Psalm 45:10-17 / Romans 7:15-25a / Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Summary of Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

In the Gospel reading for July 5, Jesus criticizes the people of his time for how they find nothing good to say about those God sent to them. He points out that he and John were opposites in some ways, yet both of them were criticized by the same people. John was called a demon for fasting and Jesus was called a glutton and a drunkard for doing the opposite.

After this critique, Jesus prays, thanking God for revealing things to infants instead of the wise and intelligent. Turning to those around him, he shares the good news: God’s yoke is easy and burden is light. Instead of heaping burdens on a burdened people, the Messiah offers rest for the weary.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

While Jesus’ criticisms of those in his generation (especially the religious elite) are particular to that time, that dialogue can be an unfortunate reflection of the more difficult parts of our inner journey. We all have inner voices – versions of ourselves with wisdom, insight, and emotions to bring to the table when we face new situations and information.

Sometimes, though, my inner parts feel more like a gallery of critics than a group of supporters. When I fast, inevitably some parts will confuse my asceticism for something darker. When I feast and let loose a little, the cacophony of critics is eager to question my motives.

Yet in the middle of this inner turmoil, we find an invitation to welcome in a Savior who doesn’t add to the noise, but who lightens that burden. Years of inner work, guided by Holy Spirit, have provided maturing parts that don’t stir up chaos, but help me to sort through it.

Years ago, I found myself in an interpersonal conflict. You’ve probably experienced this type of conflict: the type that keeps you up at night, rehashing what you said and rehearsing what you want to say should the conversation circle around again.

In that, however, a major shift in my inward journey happened. Where before I would obsess over how others perceived me, I realized that having peace in my inward journey played a much bigger role than any outward “peace” I could create in that situation.

Two Things Can Be True

(From guest writer Faith Taylor)

Dear Josephine, Rory, and Wesley,

Life isn't always just good or just bad. It's okay to wrestle with conflicting feelings.

The process to bring each of you home meant walking difficult paths, but every step has been worth it to have you here today. You three are the reasons I keep going.

Mama

P.S. I smile because as I write this, Wesley is chewing on my arm and smiling. How perfectly poetic that I can write about hard times while seeing the proof of God’s work in my life in the smiles looking up at me.

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 8 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, June 28, 2026

Genesis 22:1-14 / Psalm 13 / Romans 6:12-23 / Matthew 10:40-42

Summary of Psalm 13

In this psalm, David cries out to God for deliverance. He begs God to rescue him, asking how long he will have to suffer what he's going through.

Yet the psalm ends in praise for a God who David trusts. Not only does David trust God, but sees God’s hand of blessing on his life.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

My high school Sunday school teacher had an intense dislike for the psalms. He frequently criticized David, who seemed to flip flop from the depths of despair to songs of praise in the span of a verse.

Yet it is psalms like these that so perfectly mirror the soul during the turbulence of life.

When my (adopted) sons were born, each had extended NICU stays where they went through opioid withdrawals.

Holding a baby going through withdrawals is, hands down, the most excruciating thing I've ever experienced. And while it would be easy to hold onto anger toward their birth mom, I grieved because I've spent the last 28 years loving her and hate the pain that's led us to this point.

When I read the first half of Psalm 13, it takes me back to those days. Tiny, delicate babies with feeding tubes. Morphine every three hours. Sweats, shaking, grimacing, crying (both theirs and mine).

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” Those words could have easily been my prayer on the hardest days of this journey.

Yet I also remember the faithfulness of God from those days. Singing songs of worship as my sons finally rested in my arms. Having nurses and social workers and friends offer words of strength and encouragement. Long hospital days broken up by good food and good company.

The outer life is rarely black and white, only good or only bad. Likewise, we do ourselves a major disservice when we think our inner lives should only reflect one feeling at a time.

We can be in the deepest valleys of life, wondering where God is. And at the same time, we can also feel the warmth of the sun on our faces and reflect on how bountifully God has dealt with us.

What a wonderful blessing we have in Scriptures like this, that remind us how beautifully human it is to feel more than one thing at a time!

Participation Trophy

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

One of the phrases I dislike is “That’s not good enough.” Granted, there are daily examples of when something doesn’t meet the standard or benchmark that has been established. But the only way we improve is to use and exercise our muscles and brain. There is no need for a “participation trophy.” Rather, I hope we all discover the reward that comes from welcoming all of who we are, and then letting ALL the parts of who we are participate in the life we lead. Maybe then we can let go of the phrase, “That’s not good enough.”

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 8 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, June 28, 2026

Genesis 22:1-14 / Psalm 13 / Romans 6:12-23 / Matthew 10:40-42

Summary of Matthew 10:40-42

These are the concluding instructions given to the disciples before they head out to share the good news in the neighboring communities.  The passage speaks of the rewards of living in kind and healthy ways. Welcoming others is an act of divine grace. Treating others in ways that affirm who they are and the unique gifts they contribute creates a state of openness, creativity and growth. Simple acts of compassion can make a huge difference in the lives of others, and produces rewards far beyond the simple act. Kindness produces miracles even if we don’t see immediate results.       

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul  

The principle of welcoming applies to the inner journey as well. Most of us readily welcome certain parts of ourselves while quietly resisting others. We celebrate the parts that help us succeed and hide the parts that make us uncomfortable. Yet the soul flourishes when all of its healthy energies are welcomed and allowed to contribute. The initiating energy within us brings movement, courage, and action (v. 40). The prophetic voice brings imagination, creativity, and transformation (v. 41a). The righteous or stabilizing voice offers order, structure, and wisdom (v. 41b). The compassionate responder nurtures relationships and notices the needs of others (v. 42). Each carries a gift. Each deserves a place at the table.

Welcoming these inner voices does not mean allowing them to dominate. It means honoring their contributions. When one voice attempts to control the entire system, imbalance follows. But when each is listened to, respected, and integrated into the larger whole, the soul becomes more resilient, creative, grounded, and compassionate. The reward is not merely personal success. The reward is wholeness.

The disciples are sent into the world to welcome others and to receive hospitality from others. In the same way, we are invited to cultivate a spirit of hospitality within ourselves. To welcome what is wise. To welcome what is creative. To welcome what is courageous. To welcome what is compassionate. And in doing so, we discover that grace is not only something we extend outwardly. It is also something we practice inwardly. The journey of discipleship becomes a journey of hospitality toward the many gifts that reside within the soul.

Who Am I?

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

Do you think prayer is reminding God of what God seems to have forgotten? Or is prayer God reminding us of what we seem to have forgotten?

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 7 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, June 21, 2026

Genesis 21:8-21 / Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 / Romans 6:1b-11 / Matthew 10:24-39

Summary of Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17

Psalm 86 is unusual because it is one of the few psalms explicitly attributed to David in the latter part of the Psalter. It reads like a personal prayer, woven together from phrases and themes found throughout other psalms. It moves between three key questions: Who am I? What do I need? And, who is God?

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

The psalmist self-describes as poor and needy, devoted, God’s servant, crying all day long, lifting up his soul, in trouble, and calling on God.  His needs are straightforward. He wants God to listen and answer, preserve his life, be gracious to him, gladden his soul, turn to him, give him strength and save him. God is viewed as good and forgiving, abounding in love, and willing to answer. There is no one like God; nothing like God’s works. God is great, and does wondrous things. These are the assumptions the psalmist has about himself, his needs and God. 

We all have assumptions regarding the three key questions mentioned above. Prayer allows those assumptions to be examined, challenged, refined, and sometimes transformed. My view of myself may be distorted. My understanding of God may be incomplete. My evaluation of my needs may suffer from fear, bias, or selfishness. But this is where I begin. I bring the best understanding I have today and place it before the Divine.

I am not certain of anything, but open to everything.

My Prayer: Oh God, take up residence in me. Teach me who I am. Teach me who You are. Teach me what I truly need. Since You are the Creator, have Your way with Your creation. Redeem all that is within me so that I might become whole. And from that wholeness, may I become a redeeming presence in the world around me.

Tough Choices

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

Some decision are pretty easy; one choice seems right, and the other does not. Or one choice is invigorating and the other feels exhausting. Other decisions are not so easy; one option feels exciting but the other option feels stable and secure. Or one option will hurt one group of people and the other option will hurt a different group of people. There is not always a “right” or best choice. For those decisions I feel like it is important to pay attention to the wisdom that comes from listening to all the parts that make up who you are.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 7 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, June 21, 2026

Genesis 21:8-21 / Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 / Romans 6:1b-11 / Matthew 10:24-39

Summary of Matthew 10:24-39

This passage is part of Jesus' preparation of the disciples before they venture into the surrounding towns. The instructions feel like a collection of warnings, encouragements, and reminders. Jesus knows that the outward journey will not be easy. The writings of Josephus tell us that some of the unsettling predictions soon came to pass with the breaking up of families due to faith-based allegiances and political loyalties.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

So, there is a literal aspect to the statement that one's foes will be members of his own household. And there is a figurative aspect to those statements, whereby families become divided along religious, political or philosophical lines, creating tension, division and estrangement.

However, the passage also describes something that happens within every person. The parts of our inner self become divided over competing agendas. The task-driven inner masculine voice feels abrasive to the relationally-minded inner feminine voice. The masculine side doesn't want to waste time, while the feminine side wants to enjoy time. The one part of me has to think about my feelings before I know what I am feeling, while another part of me feels first and has no need to explain why the feelings exist. A part is intrigued by change while another part works hard to create stability. A part of the soul is attracted to the unhinged voice of transformation, but then wants to quickly tame and control it. The soul is not a singular voice but rather a gathering of voices, each with its own agenda, fears, hopes, and priorities.

Our greatest foes are in our own inner household. They seem to betray us more than outward foes ever will. The inner journey asks us to notice the competing loyalties that shape our lives. Which voices are rooted in fear? Which are rooted in love? Which seek control? Which seek connection? Until these voices become visible, the inner world remains confusing and chaotic.

The goal is not to eliminate parts of ourselves but to understand them: The entrepreneurial voice and the security-seeking voice. The task-oriented voice and the relational voice. The voice that wants to protect and the voice that longs to explore. Each carries something valuable. As they are brought into the light, they can begin to move from conflict toward cooperation. The outward journey of the disciples became the catalyst for their inner transformation. The same is often true for us. Life exposes our divisions, but grace invites us toward integration.

Joyful Silence

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

There is an old adage that goes, “Your actions are so loud that I can’t hear what you are saying.” It is one of my favorites.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 6 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, June 14, 2026

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) / Psalm 100 / Romans 5:1-8 / Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Psalm 100: Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

Psalm 100 is a brief psalm of thanksgiving and praise. We live a couple of blocks from Petco Park, where the Padres play baseball. From our living room we can see the Jumbotron scoreboard, which will often flash the words, "Make Some Noise!" The crowd responds with a roar that crescendos throughout the stadium.

I confess that I sometimes grow weary of all the noise—even joyful noise, which is exactly how this psalm begins. Yet in only five short verses, the psalmist gathers together a remarkable collection of qualities: joy, gladness, singing, belonging, thanksgiving, blessing, love, endurance, and faithfulness. How can a person not be drawn toward a way of living shaped by such things?

Perhaps the invitation of the psalm is deeper than simply making noise. Sometimes the world, and our own particular circumstances, become so loud that we lose sight of what matters most. The inner journey reminds us that joy, gratitude, belonging, and love are not things we must manufacture. Often they are already present, waiting to be noticed. And, ironically, sometimes it is through outward quiet and inward stillness that we finally hear the song the soul has been singing all along.

Lighten the Load

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

Filling up a backpack is an exercise in deciding what is needed. And you never know what you will need. So, at some point you make your best guess, zip up the backpack, and start walking. Inevitably you will need something you don’t have, and amazingly, you will figure out what to do. So, maybe it is wise to carry less in life, enjoy the walk more, and trust your inner resources to figure out what to do if something comes up.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A Proper 6 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, June 14, 2026

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) / Psalm 100 / Romans 5:1-8 / Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Summary of Matthew 9:35-10:8

The gospel reading for June 14 has so much going on: Jesus’s mission (teaching, preaching and healing). The naming and commissioning of the 12. Instructions. Admonition regarding wolves in sheep’s clothing. Being wise as serpents and innocent as doves. A person’s peace and the host of a house or home. And not taking outward resources. It seems difficult to find a focal point. And furthermore, how does any of this translate to the inner journey?

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

This passage is best understood as descriptive of a particular group of twelve followers at a particular moment in history. He is preparing them for a journey that will require courage, discernment, trust, and resilience. It is not prescriptive for every person in every generation. So, while the details of their mission may not apply directly to everyone, the inner dynamics of the journey remain remarkably relevant.

One of the most striking features of the passage is Jesus' invitation to travel lightly. The disciples are instructed not to depend on money, extra clothing, or other outward resources. In other words, learn to trust yourself, your inner resources and others. Pay attention to your intuition, not just your knowledge. This becomes an invitation to examine the sources of security upon which we rely.

Many of us spend years accumulating possessions, credentials, accomplishments, and certainty in the hope that they will make us feel safe. Yet the deepest challenges of life often cannot be solved by what we possess. These challenges invite us to discover the inner resources of wisdom, insight, courage, intuition, compassion, and trust.

The passage also calls for discernment. There are moments when we sense something before we fully understand it. Sometimes the inner voice recognizes openness, danger, authenticity, or deception long before the rational mind can explain why. Be wise as a serpent and as naive as a dove. Both deserve a place in the inner world so that you can function with gentle judgement and tenacious grace when either are needed, or when both are needed. And such a posture is born out of inner work and outer experience. This is how we learn to trust the inner resources that emerge from an integrated life.

Saturday Donuts

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

Sometimes life feels very complicated and cluttered. Kind of like waking up on a Saturday morning and thinking this would be a good day to clean out the garage, or organize the basement, or downsize the contents of all the closets. And then you walk into the garage and it feels so overwhelming that you walk right back into the kitchen and have two more donuts. Working on the inner life can sometimes feel the same way. I might suggest not trying to do everything at once. Instead, focus on a couple of things that will help you feel like you are making progress. Then have another donut.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A - Proper 5 (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, June 7, 2026

Genesis 12:1-9 / Psalm 50:7-15 / Romans 4:13-25 / Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Psalm 50:7-15: Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

Psalm 50 is unusual because the Divine is the speaker. The voice that emerges is powerful, expansive, and entirely self-sufficient. God reminds the people that every creature, every mountain, and every resource already belongs to the Divine. Nothing is lacking. Nothing needs to be supplied through sacrifice. The divine Voice almost sounds amused by the idea that human beings could somehow provide something that God lacks.

This creates an important question. If God does not need our offerings, then what does God desire? The answer is surprisingly simple:

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and honor your vows” (v. 14).

Gratitude and honesty. Not performance. Not perfection. Not endless striving. Gratitude and honesty. These two qualities are among the most transformative forces in the inner life.

Psalm 50 carries forward the same theme of gratitude as was found in last week’s Psalm reading. Gratitude does not deny grief, disappointment, anger, or fear. It simply widens our perspective. It reminds us that even in seasons of struggle there are gifts, relationships, moments of beauty, and traces of grace that remain present.

Honesty performs a similar function. It invites us to stop pretending. It loosens the grip of image management, self-deception, and unrealistic expectations. Honest people can establish healthy boundaries because they are no longer fighting to maintain an illusion. Honest people become trustworthy because they are willing to live in reality. The inner journey moves forward when we are willing to see ourselves clearly and compassionately.

Perhaps the deepest surprise of this psalm is that these expectations do not arise from an authoritarian demand, but from a voice that seeks our wholeness. We often project our fears, insecurities, and rigid standards onto God. But Psalm 50 suggests a different possibility. What if grace means that the Divine is continually projecting the values of the Kingdom—gratitude, honesty, freedom, and trust—onto the human soul? If so, the path toward joy may not be found in acquiring more, achieving more, or sacrificing more. It may begin with a shift in perspective. Gratitude and honesty simplify the inner world. And when the inner world changes, the outer world is often transformed as well.

Don’t Plan the Funeral Yet

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

The divine voice continually moves toward the parts of ourselves that have been dismissed, shamed, or declared unworthy. I hope you might consider allowing those parts to pulsate with new life.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A - Proper 5 (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, June 7, 2026

Genesis 12:1-9 / Psalm 50:7-15 / Romans 4:13-25 / Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Summary of Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

This passage has numerous characters and scenes. The passage begins with Matthew, a tax collector, being invited to become a disciple, which results in a confrontation with the Pharisees. The setting is interrupted when Jesus is informed of the death of a ruler’s daughter. Jesus immediately makes his way to where the girl is, but on the way he heals a women who has been ill for 12 years.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

The reading is filled with people who do not belong. Matthew is a tax collector. The woman is considered unclean. The little girl is believed to be dead. The disciples seem unable to grasp what Jesus is doing, and the Pharisees are offended by nearly every step he takes. Again and again, Jesus crosses boundaries established by the religious system. The rules give way to the way of love.

The inner world has a similar form. From childhood we learn what is acceptable and what is not. We discover which emotions and behaviors are welcomed, and which are not. Over time, we construct an identity around what seems most successful. Other parts are pushed aside, hidden, or forgotten. The rulekeeper within works tirelessly to maintain order, while the excluded parts drift into the shadows.

Yet the divine voice consistently moves toward those forgotten places. It notices the inner tax collector who has bartered away pieces of the self in order to survive. It sees the wounded child who has been declared beyond hope. It recognizes the feminine voice that has been dismissed or silenced. Even the rigid rulekeeper is not rejected. Love approaches each part with kindness rather than condemnation, creating space where healing can begin.

When we pause long enough to examine the landscape of the soul, we may discover that the funeral procession is premature. The mourners have already gathered. The dirge has already begun. And then love arrives and says, “Not so fast.”

When we perform an inner autopsy, we may discover that some of the parts we thought had died are just waiting for someone to notice the heartbeat. The judgments of others need not have the final word. The stories we have believed about our lack of worth may not be true. And when love reaches across the boundaries we have constructed, takes us by the hand, and calls us forward, we begin to discover that faith is not merely believing in God—it is trusting that every part of us is capable of being touched by grace.

Take a Breath

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

The first rule of stress management is “breathe.” Anxiety, fear, worry, and discouragement all make us hold our breath. So try to create space to just take a deep breath, and then another. And then one more. In those moments, let the muscles relax and your vision expand. Create space for the birth of a new thought.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A - Visitation (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, May 31, 2026

Samuel 2:1-10 / Psalm 113 / Romans 12:9-16b / Luke 1:39-57

Summary of Psalm 113

Psalm 113 is a song of praise. The psalmist speaks of the greatness of God, the majesty of creation, and the care of the Divine for the poor, the needy, and the barren. Yet beneath the praise lies an important truth about the inner journey and the power of gratitude.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

Gratitude is not denial. It does not pretend that suffering isn't real. It does not dismiss anxiety, grief, disappointment, or discouragement. Nor does it demand that we suppress difficult emotions in favor of positive thinking. Gratitude simply recognizes that our pain is not the whole story.

When we are hurting, our attention naturally narrows. The problem becomes all we can see. The wound becomes the lens through which we interpret everything else. The inner world contracts around fear, scarcity, or loss. Psalm 113 moves in the opposite direction.

The psalmist begins by lifting his eyes beyond immediate circumstances. He notices the grandeur of creation, the faithfulness of God, and the surprising ways grace appears in ordinary life. He acknowledges poverty, need, and barrenness, but refuses to let them be the final word.

Gratitude is the practice of expanding awareness. It creates enough inner space for multiple truths to exist at the same time. I can be discouraged and grateful. I can be grieving and hopeful. I can feel lost and still recognize moments of beauty, kindness, and grace. When the inner world feels depleted and the soul has forgotten how to breathe, gratitude gently opens a window. Fresh air enters. The horizon expands. And we begin to remember that the presence of the Divine has been with us all along.

The miracle of gratitude is not that it changes our circumstances. Rather, it changes our perspective and widens the field of vision. It reminds us that there is always a larger story unfolding than the one being told by our fears.

Under Construction

Dear Sutton and Savannah, 

Theology is a middle chapter. The first chapter is typically an experience of God that begs for an explanation. Theology is an attempt to provide such an explanation. However, there is always another chapter that doesn’t fit neatly into the boxes and categories that theology provides. The movement of God’s Spirit inevitably bursts the boxes we use to try to explain and contain God. Theology is a wonderful thing. It’s just not the final thing.

-Dad

Inside Out Lectionary Letters

Year A - Visitation (Texts, Art, Hymns)

Readings for Sunday, May 31, 2026

Samuel 2:1-10 / Psalm 113 / Romans 12:9-16b / Luke 1:39-57

Summary of Luke 1:39-57

Luke 1:39–57 includes Mary’s visit with her cousin Elizabeth and the beginning of what is traditionally called the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise. Mary and Elizabeth are both pregnant. When they connect, Elizabeth’s fetus reacts, Elizabeth is filled with the spirit and pronounces a blessing on Mary.

Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul

This passage is filled with the expression of the feminine voice. The feminine voice is creative and procreative. The feminine offers blessing (Elizabeth) and song (Mary). At the core, the feminine side is relational, and finds joy in connection. The masculine voice is silent (Zachariah) and absent (Joseph), yet the voices of John and Jesus are about to burst forth.

The masculine and feminine voices are both essential. Each needs the other. This is true culturally as well as within each individual. Where the masculine sees boundary lines (important), the feminine sees bridges (equally important). Where the masculine sees hierarchy (important) the feminine sees common ground (equally important). When these energies work together rather than against one another, the result is not domination but inclusion. Through integration the rich and poor are both fed. The powerful and seemingly insignificant both have a place. Mercy and grace are for all.

This feminine voice resonates throughout scripture, and particularly in the life and words of Jesus. Mary’s presence is at the beginning of Jesus’s life and at the crucifixion. The influence is unmistakable and the integration is essential. The unification of the masculine and feminine, while maintaining the identity of both, is the path of the integrated inner life.

In this opening chapter of Luke, the temple, priesthood, hierarchy and religious authority have lost their voice (Zechariah). While pregnancy, blessing and relational investment express the movement of the spirit and carry the essence of new life. And the unborn fetus recognizes the power of this moment when it jumps inside of Elizabeth. The body often recognizes a shift, for the good or bad, before the mind has an explanation for what is happening. If allowed, the intuitive voice within creates space where new life can emerge before it is even rationally understood.

Before Jesus speaks publicly, before John preaches, before theology is articulated, the Spirit moves through relationship, embodiment, intuition, and blessing. Two women recognize what the established structures cannot yet see. The movement of God begins not with dominance or certainty, but with connection.