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 […]
“Praise the Lord.” My mother often said that phrase aloud. “Praise the Lord” was part of Mom’s everyday vocabulary. You might hear her say it in the produce aisle at Kroger, “Oh, praise the Lord, would you look at those peaches?” Mom’s hallelujahs were not phony, plotted, or planned. She jumped up once to celebrate […]
Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 I memorized this scripture and others at the suggestion of my middle school youth […]
If you read through the New Testament, reading Matthew, Mark, and Luke, when you get to John you will uncover something different from the Synoptic (or forming a summary) Gospels. John tells no birth stories, beginning with “In the Beginning was the Word and The Word was with God, and The Word was God”. John […]
Have you ever resisted doing something you knew God was calling you to do? Why do we flee from Christ’s teachings that we know can grow in us a meaningful life? Why hesitate to give, forgive, love, keep Sabbath, offer mercy, or catalyze justice? We won’t discover why Jonah resisted God’s call until the 3rd […]
When I arrived at the wedding venue, the best man shared that his only assignment for the wedding day was to keep Josh happy. That was not an easy task. It seemed like Josh was not happy unless he had a drink in his hand. Everyone seemed preoccupied with making sure Josh did not make […]
