“Choosing to Live in Right Relationship”

I have found a great appreciation for the book of Deuteronomy this week. This is a very ancient law book, now nearly three millennia old. Some of these laws feel strange and dated, such as practices for animal sacrifices, that they like lambs should not have blemishes. Don’t use mixed fibers and shellfish are an abomination. Others laws are remarkably relevant. Don’t eat dead animals you find on the ground. Appoint judges in every city who are impartial and who don’t take bribes. Hired workers should be paid fairly. Debts should be forgiven after seven years. Parts of the crop should be set aside for poor people. Here is a good one from Deut. 17:16 in case the people want a king:” He must not acquire many horses for himself, 17 And he must not acquire many wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; also, silver and gold he must not acquire in great quantity for himself.” If we keep reading perhaps there is a verse about providing tax returns, but I haven’t read that far yet.

Matthew 4:12-23 “What is a Disciple to do?”

What would Jesus do?  WWJD?  I never bought the bracelet, but I do think this is a foundational moral question. If we want to be followers of Jesus.  So, how do you think Jesus would have spent this inauguration weekend?  Would Jesus have attended worship at the National Cathedral on Friday, proclaiming with Franklin Graham … Continue reading Matthew 4:12-23 “What is a Disciple to do?”

Isaiah 49:1-7 “More Light and Truth to Come”

Preaching this weekend in the shadow of Martin Luther King, Jr. always fills me with a mix of hope and of fear.  Dr. King was the complete package; a gifted theologian whose thoughts and writings inspired; a second-generation black preacher formed in the passion and rythyms of the Gospel tradition, a person of immense courage … Continue reading Isaiah 49:1-7 “More Light and Truth to Come”

Babies Born in Strange Places

Tomorrow, on Christmas Day, approximately 353,000 babies will be born worldwide, at the rate of one baby every 4.3 second. In one hour of a Christmas Eve service, 15,300 babies will be born while we sing about good news of great joy. Much like our Christmas story, babies come into the world in some of … Continue reading Babies Born in Strange Places

Luke 20: 27-38 “All Are Alive in God, so Keep Working It Out”

  Sermon for Sunday, November 6, 2016 Jesus loved to argue.  In Luke’s Gospel he argues about scripture, poverty, taxes, does God love foreigners, can rich people get to heaven.  Jesus’s first great debate in Luke’s Gospel is at his Bar Mitzvah, at age 12, he got so caught up in debate at the Temple, his … Continue reading Luke 20: 27-38 “All Are Alive in God, so Keep Working It Out”