Luke 14:1, 7-14 August 28, 2022 When you go to a dinner party, take the low place. You can be in my club if you feel inept at receptions, cocktail hours, and networking events. My club has no receptions, just one-on-one meetings for coffee, lunch, or a good walk. Or you get to stay home … Continue reading Take the Low Seat
Luke 13:10-17 August 21, 2022 Do you remember the first time that church made you mad? Controversy swirled with cream and sugar into coffee after church. Personalities were on full display. There was a discussion, an argument, and a vote. Then a few people left church, and maybe you thought about going too. I have … Continue reading When it is Time to Get Myself Out of the Way
Hebrews 11:1-16 "Do you have the courage to be optimistic?" This question landed in my inbox Tuesday. It's not a quote from scripture, a leadership book, or a morning devotional, but a promotion from my local bank. I often delete these immediately, but it felt on topic with my sermon, "Faith is the assurance of … Continue reading A Hope in Things Unseen
Part 3 on Micah 6:8 Do Justice! This phrase is an active imperative. It does not simply say: Pray for justice. Hope for justice. Post a catchy meme on Facebook about something which disturbs you. Voice your opinions as often as possible, whether people like it or not. Vote for the correct political party. “Do … Continue reading Do Justice
Part Two on Micah 6:8 Love kindness. Try a little kindness. Who comes to mind when you think of kindness? How many of you are thinking about Mr. Rogers? Perhaps you are thinking of a Buddhist teacher like the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hahn, or Tara Brach, who urges us to practice loving kindness. Kindness … Continue reading Try a Little Kindness
First of three sermons on Micah 6:8 Micah 6:8, Luke 14:7-11 "God has told you, O mortal, what is good and requires you to do…." You can call human beings by lots of names. Homo sapiens, anthropoids, people, citizens, consumers, the image and likeness of God, or as a Star Trek alien called Captain James … Continue reading Walk Humbly
II Kings 5:1-14 July 3, 2022 How did you learn to swim? I wanted to learn swim without getting wet, get my strokes down and then zip out into the water like a dolphin. However, my first swimming “lesson” involved two camp counselors tossing me into the deep end of a pool. I struggled to … Continue reading You Have to Get Wet
Acts 8:24-40 Why is it important to celebrate Open and Affirming Sunday? For me, it is not about my ideology or politics but experiences and friendships that have shaped my theological outlook. I decided to put aside the sermon I started on our text from Acts in favor of storytelling and just share a thumbnail … Continue reading Why Celebrate LGBTQ Open and Affirming Sunday?
Galatians 3:23-29 June 19, 2022 In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male and female. Did Paul really mean the church should be radically equal? Imagine being in the Galatian church, around 50 AD, when Paul's letter arrives. If it had been an email, the single-spaced document would be about eleven … Continue reading Did Paul Really Mean It?
Romans 5:1-5 Hope does not disappoint us. Paul’s statement is quite bold. If this is true, why do I often feel disappointed? Am I hoping in the wrong way? Reinhold Niebuhr said if you feel disillusioned it is likely because you believed in illusions to begin with. Is this my problem? Were my hopes too … Continue reading Hope Does Not Disappoint Us
With all my soul 