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”
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”
You can lose a lot of things. You can lose your mind, your memory or your marbles. Your confidence, self-esteem or your mojo. You may lose your way, your place or you can even lose face; Your reputation, self-respect, manhood or virginity. You can lose sleep, time or your prime. You may also fail, suffer … Continue reading Luke 15:1-10 “Becoming a Good Loser”
"Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes in the morning." Yesterday our weekly Bible study focused on the word "joy." One member spoke for all of us, sharing the struggle of finding joy when things seem awful-violence in the streets, the dreary expectation of racism and homophobia being spouted in Cleveland all week, … Continue reading Joy Through it All
I had an important moment of clarity last Monday about how I understand myself as pastor and shepherd. Sarah and I were both attending the Massachusetts Western area “Day of Covenant,” which is annual gathering of pastors and Conference staff for mutual care and discussion about what we see as the big issues of the … Continue reading Psalm 23 – “Good Shepherd 3.0”
I remember returning to my hometown of Boone, Iowa to preach, after my first semester of seminary in Boston. I looked out at the congregation, and there were all my former Sunday School teachers and youth leaders. These were the people that had formed my faith, those who said don’t run in church, and stop … Continue reading Preaching to the Hometown Crowd
I Corinthians 12 is Paul’s theological grounding about how community and power works. I Cor. 12:7 is one of the most important verses in the Bible, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” For the full sermon go to my new website at bloomingcactus.me
Scripture Texts: Luke 4:15-21, Isaiah 61:1-2 January 17, 2016 What is your elevator speech? In 30 seconds or less, how would convince someone to embrace your core values and mission? It must be simple, memorable and exciting. A Mission Statement grounds you in being clear before you act, so every day you can ask, … Continue reading Restoration: When Scripture Makes History
Scripture Lessons: Luke 4:15-21, Isaiah 61:1-2 What is your elevator speech? In 30 seconds or less, how would convince someone to embrace your core values and mission? It must … Continue reading Restoration: When Scripture Makes History
Scripture Text: Luke 3:15-22 A long time ago; in a galaxy far, far away; a child in a movie multiplex looked up to a parent and whispered: “Is the Force the same thing as God?" That is the conversation George Lucas wanted to create. Lucas recently talked about religion in an interview with Charlie Rose … Continue reading Magi, Jedi, Christ Star, Death Star
With all my soul 