Luke 18:9-15 The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Let me say for the record, “I am a sinner.” There, it’s out in the open now. Let’s talk about this. You may have a number of different reactions: Pastor Todd, what you done now? -or- That’s a relief! Maybe I belong here. … Continue reading How to Be a Good Sinner
Luke 17:11-19 - Parable of the Ten Lepers You already know how this sermon will end. It must end extolling the virtue of gratitude. No matter what interesting stories, or social research, or exegesis of the biblical setting or Greek word translations, the point is - gratitude is essential to faith. Gratitude is currently … Continue reading What Stops Our Gratitude?
Luke 16:1-13 (Watch video here.) This is a core value: “Whoever is faithful in very little is faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in little is dishonest in much.” I believe the divine is seen and experienced in the small and ordinary spaces of life. The daily habits, the random acts of kindness, the quality … Continue reading All the Small Things
Luke 14:1, 7-13 September 1, 2019 Where you start matters. Starting at the top can be deceiving. Icebergs are a great example, just ask the captain of the Titanic. What you see at the surface is just a small portion of the ice mountain. If you look at the stock market, it is near all-time … Continue reading Taking the Low Seat
Luke 12:49-56 49 “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but … Continue reading Through the Fire
John 18:1-20 April 21, 2019 The earliest Easter artwork, in the 4th century of Christianity, shows two Roman soldiers keeping watch at the tomb, one is asleep and sees nothing, the other is awake and staring at the empty tomb. I love the mystery in this artistic portrayal. If you aren’t awake and aware, you … Continue reading After Weeping and Ashes…Easter Joy
If you were a reporter covering this story, what would be your headline? “Preacher’s Fishing Miracle Has Better Ratings Than Super Bowl.” Or- “Local Fishermen Retire, Leave Lucrative Business to Join Cult.” We bring our perspectives to the story. We might ask, “Is this story true?” Did Jesus really create a fishing miracle? How did … Continue reading Going Deeper
Scripture: Luke 1:39-57 When you think of Mary the Mother of Jesus, what is the first word that comes to your mind. I’ll bet that many of you the word was “virgin.” As Protestants we do not speak much of Mary, we feel awkward with all this blessed virgin language and she can seem lost … Continue reading Let’s Put Mary Back Into Christmas
You have likely heard the phrase, “Here’s my two cents.” Some dictionaries say the usage began with the cost to send a letter, the “two penny” post. Others say it comes from poker, where you place a two penny ante to play the round. Both usages imply, “I’ve paid my price to have an opinion, … Continue reading Your Two Cents
Mark 12:28-34 November 4, 2018 What will we do with ourselves until election results come in on Tuesday night? The campaigns are at the fever pitch of a World Wide Wrestling cage match. The difference is we know pro wrestling is fake, whereas politics effects our real lives and live ammunition is often involved. We have seen all the … Continue reading You Are Not Far from the Kingdom of God
