Thirsty Voices: Gushing God
But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" —Exodus 17:3 “Is God among us or…
“Be Not Afraid–Beloved”
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell…
Entertaining Athiests Unawares?
"Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him….Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness…
Regrets–I’ve Had a Few
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what…
Tony, Tony Turn Around
“Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays…
Sing (and Dance) a New Song—In Ordinary Time
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless God’s name; tell of God’s salvation from day to day. —Psalm 96:1-2 Welcome to Ordinary Time! That sounds almost laughable…
The Trinity…. Seriously?
When it comes to The Trinity I find myself in some pretty powerful company. In the past with the help of people much smarter than I, I have mustered up Trinity Sunday sermons that spoke to the glory, holiness and…
Resurrection: Creating Community, Creating Faith, Creating Community
Thomas...was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the…
Palms, Passion and Progressives
…he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. –Luke 19:28b I find Palm Sunday one of the most challenging to negotiate as a pastor—and it is not because of the eco-palms or the hymnody. The fact is most mainline church…
Nard-ing Ourselves Out of Our Comfort Zone
“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair…” –John 12:1 The Fragrance of Nard Routine. Comfort zone. The same old same old. For the most part it’s where…