A lurking restlessness sat in- fight, flight, or freeze. My Breathing accelerated under my mask fogging my readers. It is hard to focus on a book in the emergency room. Should I have gone at all? Who will preach tomorrow? What if my symptoms are some novel presentation of Coronavirus? Is that coughing woman Covid […]
Dear Beloved Friends, Thanksgiving 2020 may feel as different as a Zoom wedding. 2020 has brought our family together with a Zoom funeral for Connie’s father, two virtual graduations, and our son’s wonderful live-streamed wedding. We are thankful for technology that can link us in times of deepest joy and loss. Like many of you, […]
As we move into Advent, we face updated restrictions due to the rising Covid numbers. Perhaps the stress and separation we feel in this Covid year might pull us back towards the story of Christ coming into the world. Before the crowds swarm Christ seeking and finding acceptance, love, hope, healing and justice, God’s Incarnation […]
John 2 tells us that Jesus’ first miraculous sign was turning about 120 gallons of water into wine. Jesus’ mother pressured Christ to perform a miracle to save a wedding feast from the embarrassment of running out of wine. The sommelier chides the groom, “Why did you not serve this heavenly vintage first?” Perhaps this […]
Once upon a time, there was a local lord who loved a growing market share. In Jesus’ telling, this baron was “hard” harvesting where they did not plant seed and gathering produce in another person’s fields. Jesus’ audience of poor people and pharisees knew these absentee landlords and would not have mistaken the “baron” for […]
Before we get into the heart of the sermon, I want to address an issue with the text. Joshua describes a theology that we now see in a clearer light. After offering the people the option of serving old comfortable gods, Joshua calls the people into a harder covenantential relationship with a God of expectation. […]
These are anxious days as we await election results. I feel the tension in my bones. Here are some Scriptures and a few quotes that spoke to me this morning. A prayer for our leaders rooted in Psalm 72 God, give your judgments to the king. Give your righteousness to the next in line. Let them […]
Creator, Christ, Comforter We come to you, bringer of Justice, Mercy and Love Our nation is anxious as we elect leaders Our hearts are hardened and fingers extended: Eyes averted, vision divided, fears rising Ears stopped up, slogans reheated, points not conceded Walls higher, lines sharper, words harsher Does forgiveness only come when we forgive […]
Shaking the night’s slumber from my head, I begged,“Hey, give me a kiss”. Connie kept walking out of our bedroom. From the hall she called out “my covid test came back positive” Within an hour I was in line at Nissan Stadium. A company of National Guard soldiers politely and professionally administered my test. I […]
If you want to follow Jesus into the voting booth, then remember what Jesus taught and did. Jesus provided free healthcare, everywhere he went. (Matthew 4:23, 8:16, 9:35, 10:1, 10:8, 14:35, and 25:36) Two rules: Love God. Love your neighbors, strangers and enemies. Motivated by compassion Jesus worked to end suffering on earth. Blessed are […]
