A Broom to Clean the Church
I have a son. He’s 19. Since he was young, he has always been involved in sports. He’s played baseball, basketball with his schools and travel team, ran cross-country and track. He excelled in each of these sports and was well-liked by his coaches and fellow players. While he no longer plays any of those sports, he is now a freshman at UNC-Charlotte where he was accepted into the School of Architecture.Continue Reading
HOW MIGHT I EARN ETERNAL LIFE?
Jesus is headed to Jerusalem where he will save the world by allowing himself to be crucified between two thieves. On the Cross he will defeat the powers of sin and death by absorbing their fury. And three days later the wonder of all wonders is going to happen. God is going to raise Jesus from the dead to die no more.Continue Reading
ON BECOMING A PERSON
Years ago, we went camping in Southern Ohio far from the lights of a major city. After dark we were led by a ranger down a path to an open meadow and encouraged to look at the sky. I had never seen the stars and planets in the sky as clearly before. It was an awesome display. I could almost imagine the shepherd David looking at the sky years ago before when he wrote Psalm 8.Continue Reading
LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER
I am involved in a ministry called Via de Cristo. It helps people grow on their Christian faith journey starting with a weekend retreat and continuing by encouraging participation in a Christian Support Group to grow in their discipleship with Jesus.Continue Reading
THE KINGDOM OF GOD VS. THE WORLD
While preaching from the gospel of Mark on Sunday, we have been studying the Gospel on Wednesday evenings. Something I noticed this time that had escaped me when I have studied Mark before is how often the new reality that Jesus was bringing was in direct conflict with the ways of his world, even his religious leaders.Continue Reading
In earthly terms Jesus’ ministry was a huge success. His preaching, teaching, and healing had attracted large crowds. His reputation had spread even beyond Israel to the Gentiles. Continue Reading
JESUS KNOWLEDGE OF HIS CALLING GREW
The story of the encounter of Jesus with the Syrophoenician woman reported in scripture has long challenged me. It describes a Jesus unfamiliar to me and challenges me to discern on a deeper level what is happening here. Today’s sermon is my most recent understanding of the encounter and what it might mean for our life of faith.Continue Reading
BE QUICK TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, AND SLOW TO ANGER
Pray with me: May the words of my mouth; and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord; our strength and our redeemer. Amen
It seems a bit strange preaching a sermon on listening. But here we go trying to just do that.Continue Reading
As Israel made its way through the wilderness to the Promised Land there was a moment that Moses sent spies into the Land to let them know the treasures to be found there as well as the challenges they might face as they attempt to make the land their own.Continue Reading
MARY, MOTHER OF OUR LORD
This is the traditional day of the church year that we celebrate the life of Mary, mother of our Lord. This year August 15th is a Sunday. I am excited we have this opportunity to celebrate her trust in the Lord, her sticking with Jesus at those moments she did not understand his actions, right down to the end of his life when she stood at the feet of Cross and Jesus told John; “Take my mother home.” She was even there in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit arrived on Pentecost. Tradition tells us she lived the rest of her life in John’s home in Ephesus, where she died a natural death.Continue Reading