Stephen Bond
@impiousgalilean.bsky.social
ELCA pastor in northwestern Ohio;
Trying to love well—convinced that Jesus of Nazareth makes that possible
Trying to love well—convinced that Jesus of Nazareth makes that possible
Good morning to the frost crystals on the edge of the leaves, illuminated by the early eastern light to outline them against the shadows that still stretch over much of the world that God loves…
February 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Good morning to the frost crystals on the edge of the leaves, illuminated by the early eastern light to outline them against the shadows that still stretch over much of the world that God loves…
A Psalm for the Age
a poem for February 13, 2026
a poem for February 13, 2026
February 13, 2026 at 12:39 PM
A Psalm for the Age
a poem for February 13, 2026
a poem for February 13, 2026
The world's "Big Deals" looked at the track record of Jesus and said, "He's a criminal and a loser who surrounded himself with other losers!" The apostle Paul looks at the same evidence and says, "This is how you know God is the One orchestrating it all."
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/tire...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/tire...
Tired of the Same Old Game--February 13, 2026
Tired of the Same Old Game--February 13, 2026 "When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the testimony of God to ...
beinggraced.blogspot.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:40 PM
The world's "Big Deals" looked at the track record of Jesus and said, "He's a criminal and a loser who surrounded himself with other losers!" The apostle Paul looks at the same evidence and says, "This is how you know God is the One orchestrating it all."
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/tire...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/tire...
Good afternoon to the two berries sinking lower in the melting snow as the temperature climbs just above freezing in this part of the world that God loves…
February 12, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Good afternoon to the two berries sinking lower in the melting snow as the temperature climbs just above freezing in this part of the world that God loves…
Hey friends!
This Sunday I'll be sharing a new original song in worship, drawn from the story of Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain (in Matthew 17:1-9). It's called "Remember This Moment (Ella's Song)," and you can listen at this link for free.
mercymovesus.bandcamp.com/track/rememb...
This Sunday I'll be sharing a new original song in worship, drawn from the story of Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain (in Matthew 17:1-9). It's called "Remember This Moment (Ella's Song)," and you can listen at this link for free.
mercymovesus.bandcamp.com/track/rememb...
Remember This Moment (Ella's Song), by Mercy Moves Us
track by Mercy Moves Us
mercymovesus.bandcamp.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Hey friends!
This Sunday I'll be sharing a new original song in worship, drawn from the story of Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain (in Matthew 17:1-9). It's called "Remember This Moment (Ella's Song)," and you can listen at this link for free.
mercymovesus.bandcamp.com/track/rememb...
This Sunday I'll be sharing a new original song in worship, drawn from the story of Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain (in Matthew 17:1-9). It's called "Remember This Moment (Ella's Song)," and you can listen at this link for free.
mercymovesus.bandcamp.com/track/rememb...
A green bow tie marks the last Bow Tie Thursday of Ordinary Time before the start of Lent, so happy Bow Tie Thursday to you all…
February 12, 2026 at 10:44 AM
A green bow tie marks the last Bow Tie Thursday of Ordinary Time before the start of Lent, so happy Bow Tie Thursday to you all…
Good afternoon to the silhouettes of the birds frozen into a hundred different postures as a murmuration flies overhead of me and into the world that God loves…
February 11, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Good afternoon to the silhouettes of the birds frozen into a hundred different postures as a murmuration flies overhead of me and into the world that God loves…
When Isaiah 58 talks about how to be a light in the world, he immediately talks about feeding hungry neighbors, caring for those whose backs are against the wall, and leaving behind the tired old pass-the-buck scapegoating we were used to.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...
The Blessed Alternative--February 12, 2026
The Blessed Alternative--February 12, 2026 "If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if ...
beinggraced.blogspot.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:54 PM
When Isaiah 58 talks about how to be a light in the world, he immediately talks about feeding hungry neighbors, caring for those whose backs are against the wall, and leaving behind the tired old pass-the-buck scapegoating we were used to.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...
God never needed a National Day of Prayer and Fasting or a pious pageant of horn-tooting self-denial, but God's heart has always been centered on love for the most vulnerable without fanfare or applause. God was never looking for a show.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...
The Kind of Life We're Called Into--February 11, 2026
The Kind of Life We're Called Into--February 11, 2026 "'Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?' Lo...
beinggraced.blogspot.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:52 PM
God never needed a National Day of Prayer and Fasting or a pious pageant of horn-tooting self-denial, but God's heart has always been centered on love for the most vulnerable without fanfare or applause. God was never looking for a show.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...
Hey friends!
We've got a new episode of our weekly podcast, Crazy Faith Talk, to check out here! Listen in at this link as we look at how Jesus calls outsiders to be his followers!
open.spotify.com/episode/45R0...
We've got a new episode of our weekly podcast, Crazy Faith Talk, to check out here! Listen in at this link as we look at how Jesus calls outsiders to be his followers!
open.spotify.com/episode/45R0...
Episode 470: God Calls Outsiders, Part Five--Disciples
open.spotify.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Hey friends!
We've got a new episode of our weekly podcast, Crazy Faith Talk, to check out here! Listen in at this link as we look at how Jesus calls outsiders to be his followers!
open.spotify.com/episode/45R0...
We've got a new episode of our weekly podcast, Crazy Faith Talk, to check out here! Listen in at this link as we look at how Jesus calls outsiders to be his followers!
open.spotify.com/episode/45R0...
Good morning to the textures of the early day clouds, picking up the warm colors of sunlight climbing over the horizon in this part of the world that God loves… 
February 10, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Good morning to the textures of the early day clouds, picking up the warm colors of sunlight climbing over the horizon in this part of the world that God loves… 
You don't hear Jesus saying, "Once you guys seize the reins of power and take control of government and culture, THEN you'll be a powerful enough light to fix the world." He says we already ARE the light the world needs, because God shines through us.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-ce...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-ce...
A Certain Kind of Difference--February 10, 2026
A Certain Kind of Difference--February 10, 2026 [Jesus said:]“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People d...
beinggraced.blogspot.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:07 PM
You don't hear Jesus saying, "Once you guys seize the reins of power and take control of government and culture, THEN you'll be a powerful enough light to fix the world." He says we already ARE the light the world needs, because God shines through us.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-ce...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-ce...
The way we keep time shows (and reinforces) what our lives are centered on. The church year sets the rhythm of each week to the life of Christ--rather than, say, Caesar or anybody else.
youtu.be/4OIhTExUXu0
youtu.be/4OIhTExUXu0
Worship Whys Review 06 Church Year
YouTube video by Stephen Bond
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 2:24 PM
The way we keep time shows (and reinforces) what our lives are centered on. The church year sets the rhythm of each week to the life of Christ--rather than, say, Caesar or anybody else.
youtu.be/4OIhTExUXu0
youtu.be/4OIhTExUXu0
Good morning to the half-lit moon caught in a stream of clouds as the sun rises over this part of the world that God loves…
February 9, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Good morning to the half-lit moon caught in a stream of clouds as the sun rises over this part of the world that God loves…
Was not expecting so many sacks in a Super Bowl, even just barely into the second quarter…
February 9, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Was not expecting so many sacks in a Super Bowl, even just barely into the second quarter…
I am once again reminded what an absolutely beautiful and powerful song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” really is…
February 8, 2026 at 10:52 PM
I am once again reminded what an absolutely beautiful and powerful song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” really is…
We are here for good, but not for our own good. We are here to be a blessed presence, scattered and sprinkled throughout society, to season, to enhance, and to preserve. But that only works if we are willing to give ourselves away in the process.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/what...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/what...
What We Are Here For--February 9, 2026
What We Are Here For--February 9, 2026 [Jesus said:] "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness b...
beinggraced.blogspot.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:20 PM
We are here for good, but not for our own good. We are here to be a blessed presence, scattered and sprinkled throughout society, to season, to enhance, and to preserve. But that only works if we are willing to give ourselves away in the process.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/what...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/what...
Some days I wonder whether the Scriptures can really still speak to contemporary problems, or if the church can be a voice for good despite our failings.
On those days, I remember the time Paul had to confront Simon Peter to his face about the sin of racism within his actions (See Gal. 2:11-14).
On those days, I remember the time Paul had to confront Simon Peter to his face about the sin of racism within his actions (See Gal. 2:11-14).
February 7, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Some days I wonder whether the Scriptures can really still speak to contemporary problems, or if the church can be a voice for good despite our failings.
On those days, I remember the time Paul had to confront Simon Peter to his face about the sin of racism within his actions (See Gal. 2:11-14).
On those days, I remember the time Paul had to confront Simon Peter to his face about the sin of racism within his actions (See Gal. 2:11-14).
Good morning to the elongated cruciform shadows cast by the rising sun among the tree trunks onto the still snow covered churchyard as a new day begins in the world that God loves…
February 7, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Good morning to the elongated cruciform shadows cast by the rising sun among the tree trunks onto the still snow covered churchyard as a new day begins in the world that God loves…
Good evening to the twisted plant pods that look like writhing snakes among the branches in the world that God loves…
February 6, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Good evening to the twisted plant pods that look like writhing snakes among the branches in the world that God loves…
What we put out into the world...
whether our words are kind or cruel,
whether our focus is self or other-centered,
whether our actions are just or crooked,
whether our presence adds more love or hate,
reveals where our allegiance lies....
Let it be the way of Jesus.
whether our words are kind or cruel,
whether our focus is self or other-centered,
whether our actions are just or crooked,
whether our presence adds more love or hate,
reveals where our allegiance lies....
Let it be the way of Jesus.
February 6, 2026 at 8:54 PM
What we put out into the world...
whether our words are kind or cruel,
whether our focus is self or other-centered,
whether our actions are just or crooked,
whether our presence adds more love or hate,
reveals where our allegiance lies....
Let it be the way of Jesus.
whether our words are kind or cruel,
whether our focus is self or other-centered,
whether our actions are just or crooked,
whether our presence adds more love or hate,
reveals where our allegiance lies....
Let it be the way of Jesus.
Advice from a Week on Earth
a poem for February 6, 2026
a poem for February 6, 2026
February 6, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Advice from a Week on Earth
a poem for February 6, 2026
a poem for February 6, 2026
God was never looking for us to prove ourselves; God has only been calling us to walk together. Realizing that means we are finally free to abandon our pretense, our posturing, and our boasting, so that we can just enjoy the walk.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/on-w...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/on-w...
On Walking With God--Feb. 6, 2026
On Walking With God--February 6, 2026 "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and...
beinggraced.blogspot.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:07 PM
God was never looking for us to prove ourselves; God has only been calling us to walk together. Realizing that means we are finally free to abandon our pretense, our posturing, and our boasting, so that we can just enjoy the walk.
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/on-w...
beinggraced.blogspot.com/2026/02/on-w...
Good afternoon to the cruciform petals of a blossom dried by the winter wind and resting on the snow that lays on the world that God loves…
February 5, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Good afternoon to the cruciform petals of a blossom dried by the winter wind and resting on the snow that lays on the world that God loves…
A happy Bow Tie Thursday to you today…
February 5, 2026 at 10:52 AM
A happy Bow Tie Thursday to you today…