Category Archives: Bible

Confession, What Is It Good For?

Posted on August 24, 2025 by smaxreisert

As any good Christian ought to know, confession is in integral part of the faith experience. While I don’t think confession ought to be focused on beating oneself up for every shortcoming, especially to the point of mental, emotional and/or … Continue reading →

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When the Quality of Mercy Is Decidedly Strained

Posted on January 29, 2025 by smaxreisert

“The quality of mercy is not strained.It droppeth as the gentle rain from heavenUpon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice Who knew that mercy would be … Continue reading →

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The Shocking Absence of Pregnancy in the Season of Birth

Posted on December 5, 2024 by smaxreisert

The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), the three-year cycle of scripture readings (four readings per Sunday, usually one from the Hebrew Scriptures, one psalm, one epistle passage, and one Gospel passage) followed by many Mainline Protestant churches/denominations as well as the … Continue reading →

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I’m Starting to Question God’s Choices

Posted on November 7, 2024 by smaxreisert

“Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason — and that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness, and now we are going to fulfill that mission together. We’re going … Continue reading →

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The Church Has A Lot of Explaining to Do

Posted on October 17, 2024 by smaxreisert

Catholic voters favor Trump in most battleground states, according to new NCR poll [National Catholic Reporter, 10/14/24] Are male voters reluctant to vote for a woman? [AP News, 10/11/24] Sexist Language Surges Online as Harris Battles Trump [Newsweek, 10/11/24] How … Continue reading →

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Mary, Her Womb, and Her Choice

Posted on December 23, 2023 by smaxreisert

Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 (CEB) For all of my adult life, reproductive rights have been a key component of … Continue reading →

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My Business Plan

Posted on December 7, 2022 by smaxreisert

I think I might try to start a business. It’s something I’ve never done, so maybe it’s time to give it a try. I’m not sure what kind of business exactly— there are so many options— but I do know … Continue reading →

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Women in the Early Church:  “That” Passage, Part 2

Posted on July 26, 2022 by smaxreisert

This is an adaptation of a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, July 24, 2022.  Scripture:  1 Timothy 2. Last week, we considered the authorship and context of this particular passage that we … Continue reading →

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Women in the Early Church:  “That” Verse, Part 1

Posted on July 20, 2022 by smaxreisert

This is an adaptation of a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, July 17, 2022.  Scripture:  1 Timothy 2. It’s hard to know where even to begin with this passage.  It’s really hard.  … Continue reading →

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The Women of the Early Church:  Nympha

Posted on July 13, 2022 by smaxreisert

An adaption of a sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, Sunday, July 10, 2022.  Scripture:  Colossians 4:10-18. For background and inspiration, I’m deeply indebted to the work and the blog, of Marg Mowczko, … Continue reading →

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