This passage often leads to a sermon on “separation of church and state” but that is a foreign thought to the text and its original audience. Ironically when the Pharisees and Herodians get together to entrap Jesus, this is church and state getting together to fight back against an egalitarian movement. Let's talk about people … Continue reading Changing Closed Questions into Open Questions
Wedding hype is out of control. Bear in mind that I love officiating weddings. But if you believe that your wedding day is the most important, special day of your entire life, and you will do anything to make it awesome, your likely risking disappointment. Here is my advice after 250 weddings – don’t get … Continue reading Wedding Disasters 101
It’s hard to write a sermon in the eye of an emotional hurricane. My life isn’t that difficult, but that doesn’t matter when I see angry clouds all around. I grew up in tornado-ally, so when clouds circle, it’s time to head to the basement. Which brings me to Monday. I went through my morning … Continue reading A Massacre in God’s Vineyard
I'm not preaching on October 1, so I'm looking ahead to October 8. This sermon was preached on World Communion Sunday in 2014. I think you will find the exegesis on the theme of vineyards in the Hebrew scriptures still very relevant to our current situation. Todd - With All My Soul. World Communion Sunday … Continue reading Wild Grapes, Wicked Tenants and God the Constant Gardener
There is one person in every group who has mastered the art of slacking. You have been cleaning up the kitchen for an hour, and the slacker comes near the end, “Anything I can do to help?” They dry two glasses and say something like, “Many hands make light work!” In your job, when a … Continue reading The Insider’s Guide to Volunteering
Ego likes to keep score. It is a careful watcher of rewards, measuring what we get vs. what everyone else gets. Am I getting what I deserve? Ego has its currencies-money, awards, likes, praise, friends-to measure fairness. God does not use the same currency. There is no bank in the City of God that gives … Continue reading Are You Envious Because I Am Generous?
In theory, we think forgiveness is one of the Best. Spiritual. Ideas. Ever. In practice, we have our reservations. Second chances are something we all hope to get. I have gone through divorce and remarriage, so my happiness is dependent on a second chance. Second chances, even third, are built into the national pastime-baseball. Imagine … Continue reading What Would the World Be Like Without Forgiveness?
Text: Matthew 18:15-20 Since you are sitting in a pew this morning, I know community matters to you. You could do spirituality by yourself, meditating or reading good books, but people seldom stick with anything without a community. Most of you are going to coffee hour after this service, and it is not because we … Continue reading You Will Never Be Successful in Community Unless You Do This
How Community Can Change Your Life I'm a stronger preacher when I have a theme to capture my attention and energy. This month I'm working on the power of community to change our lives. Creating vibrant church and local communities is more vital than ever as we feel our national sense of purpose shredded icy … Continue reading September 2017 Preaching Themes
Sermon preached on August 13, 2017 Text: Matthew 13:22-33 As miracles go, walking on water is ostentatious. Remember Herod’s song in Jesus Christ Superstar, “Turn my water into wine, walk across my swimming pool.” Notice Herod did not say, fill the poor with good things, and cure the sick. Those are very practical, compassionate demonstrations … Continue reading Into the Storm
With all my soul 