Every four years, during the already divisive American election season, 850 United Methodist delegates from all over Europe, Asia, the Philippines, Africa and the United States gather to conference together, worship together, and create or amend church law. The delegates are split evenly between lay and clergy. Beginning with a few pages at the Christmas […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
As if glued by grief, they hung to the edges of the high school walls. The colorful paper strips for the memory chain sat in untouched stacks next to photos of the suddenly deceased. Grief counselors and teachers stood by ready to talk, but the young people gripped by shock did not even talk to […]
Can we work for God and not know God? Can we do religious work and be disconnected from God? If we mistake mission, fellowship, good works, justice, or evangelism for the center of the church or our living, we then dethrone God and disconnect from the renewing streams of mercy and love that flow from […]
In our second sermon from Skye Jethani’ excellent book “With” we will the spiritual dryness of a Life Over or Apart from God. Jethani writes “my concern is those who claim Christian faith and even participate in a local church but may actually have the same life over God posture as atheists… they practice a faith that […]
LIFE UNDER GOD- April 3,2016 A series inspired by Skye Jethani’s excellent book “WITH” How do you relate to God? What is your primary image of God? What is your posture with God? Some live in fear under God. Some live over or apart from God. Some seek to take blessings from God. Some […]
The Bible has more to say about economics than “Thou shall not steal.” Indeed, the Levitical Holiness Code addresses past oppression, protection for the poor, and justice for foreigners. Friends, Christ calls us to a higher standard of living and doing that enriches and frees us. “8)You shall not steal” Exodus 20 In […]
How do we build fidelity? It is easy to quote the “thou shall nots”. It is harder to exemplify “the quality of being faithful”! This sermon offers seven specific practices that foster fidelity! We will explore questions! What does it mean to “forsake all others”? Does our vow entail forsaking possessions, playthings, and power for our partner? […]
The rabbis teach that it takes 3 forces to bring a life into the world, a mother, a father, and God. Honoring our parents honors God the Giver of Life. Hear the fifth and sixth commandments. “Honor your father and your mother so that your life will be long on the fertile land that the […]
The Bible offers two tellings of Moses receiving the 10 Commandments. One in Exodus and another in Deuteronomy. Against a literalism, we might notice that although the Sabbath commandment is largely the same, one saying “remember” and the other “observe,” Exodus and Deuteronomy offer different supporting arguments. Let’s hear the word of God. “Remember […]
Growing up, my parents back porch was a sort of sanctuary. One of dad’s younger brothers, Uncle Dave often came to visit, Uncle David, 15 years younger than dad, was a successful businessman with newer, nicer cars, finer clothing, and more sophisticated tastes than his older brother. My parent’s home offered warmth and love that […]
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