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?
Motivational Monday #3 I started bracing myself on the way to get the moving van. Boston is infamous for rude drivers. They ride your bumper, stop signs are barely yellow lights, and many park by ear. Plus September 1 is the biggest moving day of the year, and since apartment leases all begin … Continue reading Civility is the Secret Sauce
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
Motivational Monday #2 Real leadership requires empathy. Your best efforts and ideas will fail if people don't see real evidence that you care about them. Witness how hollow a presidential visit to flood ravages Texas during Hurricane Harvey. No meetings with survivors, no hugs, no tears. Even if relief efforts go reasonably well, there is … Continue reading 3 Minutes to Increase Your Empathy
Motivational Monday #1 Al Franken made our nine hour drive from Massachusetts to Virginia a pleasure. I enjoyed the self-effacing, deadpan humor I loved when he was on Saturday Night Live. Franken also expresses the dark side of working at SNL, dealing with the substance abuse around him, the deaths of John Belushi and Chris … Continue reading 3 Things I Learned Listening to Al Franken’s “Giant of the Senate”
This weekend's news of the White Supremacist rally in Charlottesville once again brought the nation's conflicts and news cycle into our Sunday. It is always challenging to decide which events to preach about, because the current turmoil brings us a new topic every week. Each week I try to balance the experience of worship, the … Continue reading This again?
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
Let's look at our own resources for caring and justice. 5 loaves and 2 fish go further than you think.
With all my soul 