Matthew 24:36-44 Advent I: November 27, 2022 John Nelson Darby may be the most influential and controversial theologian for our time. You have probably never heard of Darby. He wasn't a prominent preacher or theologian in his day. Darby had a decent start as an Anglican priest serving a parish in Catholic Ireland. He brought … Continue reading Stay Awake!
I Thessalonians 5:12-19 We live in a time of technological wonders, yet few people seem happy. More cool gadgets don’t make us happy or fulfilled. I heard a comedian tell this story a few years ago: I was on an airplane, and there was the internet – high-speed internet – on the aircraft. That’s the … Continue reading Giving Thanks in All Things
Isaiah 65: 17-25 November 13, 2022 “I am creating a new heaven and a new earth.” What goes through your mind when someone says, “We are going to try something new!”? Some of you will jump with excitement, “Bring it on. This will be fun. Let’s eat Kimchi. Let’s try interpretive dance in worship!” Others … Continue reading New Heaven and New Earth
Matthew 18:15-20, Luke 24:28-33 November 6, 2022 What makes God's presence real to you? While on Sabbatical three years ago, Jeanne and I toured a small cathedral in Todi, Italy. It was an odd church, with a dramatic fresco of the Last Judgement, with devils tormenting people. I noticed a display of an … Continue reading Eucharist #4 – Presence
John 6:51-58, I Corinthians 12:12-27 "This is my body broken for you. Take and eat, as often as you do so, in remembrance of me." In the last two weeks, I have preached about the layers of meaning in the Communion bread, our daily needs, and Communion wine, a sign of celebration and thanksgiving. The … Continue reading Eucharist #3: Body of Christ
Matthew 9:14-17 , John 5:15 October 23, 2022 Jesus said, "I am the vine, and you are the branches, abide in me, … Continue reading Eucharist #2: Wine and the Art of Terrior
John 6: 8-14 "Feeding 5000" John 6: 35 - "I am the bread of life." Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” He taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” From five loaves given by a small boy, all were fed. (I guess it was wonder bread!). Long before Wonder … Continue reading Eucharist #1: Bread of Life
Jeremiah 32:1-15 In 1946, a group of Bedouin teenage boys herding goats on the West Bank of the Jordan River were about to change history. A boy threw a rock into a hole in the cliff for no reason other than he was a boy with a rock. To his surprise, he heard something shatter … Continue reading Hope in Clay Jars
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1. Lament and the way forward. Is it OK to be angry at God, to ask why, or even to question if God is truly fair and just? Or is it our lot to accept our fate, quietly suffering our pain? Do you fear if you complain that, God will think you are … Continue reading Why, God?
Do you like to be useful? You fixed the problem, edited someone’s report, saved your business a ton of money, gave a ride, and made dinner. It feels good to know that your efforts were useful to someone else. “Thanks for your help!” “I’m glad to be of use.” For many people, being useful is … Continue reading The Danger of Being Useful
With all my soul 