He said, “Go call your husband and then come back.” “I have no husband,” she said. “That’s nicely put: ‘I have no husband.’ You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re living with now isn’t even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough.” -John 4:16-18 (Preached on Sunday, March 19, 2017) We live […]
The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection […]
God told Abram: “Leave your country, your family, and your father’s home for a land that I will show you. -Genesis 12:1 (Preached on Sunday, March 12, 2017) When we make our plans to travel somewhere, the destination is usually the first thing we determine. Which airport I fly out of, which airline I take, […]
This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. – Isaiah 58:6 (The Message) It is unnatural for Christianity to be popular. – Billy Graham, 20th century Can we be honest? The Season of Lent, which we have just […]
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” -Matthew 4:10 (Preached on Sunday, March 5, 2017) Cartoonist Bill Watterson in one of his Calvin & Hobbes comic strips penned the following dialogue: Calvin: Do you believe in the devil? You […]
As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. -Matthew 17:2 (Preached on Sunday, February 26, 2017) When did everything in your life and world change for you? Perhaps it was November 8 when Donald Trump was elected President of […]
We are not called upon to do all the good that is possible, but only that which we can do. – Theodore Guerin, 20th century Jesus never ran for office.Jesus never endorsed a political candidate.Jesus never voted.Jesus never pledged allegiance to a flag, country, or ruler. Throughout his life Jesus was notably absent from involving himself […]
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead, 20th century Dear Members and Friends, The day after the inauguration, Onision (Gregory Jackson), a popular creator of YouTube videos, started the hashtag #ImNotGoingtoChurchBecause on Twitter. The hashtag quickly went viral, […]
I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. -Deuteronomy 30:19 (Preached on Sunday, February 12, 2017) I imagine you might be sitting there thinking to yourself this morning after having listened to that […]
“Live for yourself and you will live in vain; Live for others, you will live again.” – Bob Marley, 20th century Dear Members and Friends, This is Valentine’s Day Weekend (I know the actual day is not until Tuesday) and we are deluged with images of hearts and roses, chocolate candy and little cupids, and […]