Again and again, Jesus enters the messy places of human life—the places of suffering, confusion, and unanswered questions—and he begins the slow work of restoration… How different might this man’s experience have been if the people around him had listened with curiosity instead of suspicion? What if they gave him… Continue reading
This is one of the truths the gospel keeps revealing. The places we think of as wilderness—the places of isolation, uncertainty, or shame—are often the very places where God meets us most honestly. March 8, 2026 (Lent 3A; John 4:7-29, Kildonan Community Church) There are seasons in life when we… Continue reading
We know what it’s like to be in the wilderness and experience the temptation to question our baptismal identity. We know what that’s like…and it’s not fun. It leaves us famished and exhausted. Matthew 4:1-11 (Lent 1A. Diaconal Sunday, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church) I have to admit that when I… Continue reading
The Messiah is coming. Today is the day you’ve been waiting for. Repent—clear out the internal junk that is getting in the way—and get ready to receive the gift that God is sending you. text: Matthew 3:1-12 Have you ever made a significant ordered that took a while to be… Continue reading
As we gather in worship and remember together the promises of God, and we RECEIVE together the gift of love and life, we are free to share that love with those who are different than us in some way. We aren’t trying to prove that we are right or better…. Continue reading
ELCIC 2025 Summer Sermon Series Pentecost 11C, Luke 13:10-17 We cannot say we value a day of rest when a person in our gathering is being excluded from that rest. We cannot say we value rest when those who are bound by disease, prejudice, oppression, inequality or our ignorance are… Continue reading
In the response to criticism about who he’s spending time with, [Jesus] begins by telling stories about people who deeply value that which is in their care. He begins with relationship that has nothing to do with the achievement the thing that gets found. Lent 4C (Luke 15:11b-32) I read a… Continue reading
A sermon for Salem Lutheran Church, Pass Lake, ON on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary. John 15:1-16 Feel deeply at home in me, Jesus is saying, just as I feel deeply at home in my Father. It’s the difference between being in a house where rules and regulations keep everyone on… Continue reading
Sermon prepared for the ELCIC 2024 Summer Sermon Series–July 21, 2024 Sometimes we can get so caught up in doing the work we think Jesus has tasked us with, that we miss the invitation to step away, take a break, and witness the new thing that God is up to… Continue reading
If the renewing story of Christ is going to be given the clothing of its context, the values of accompaniment need to take the place of values like power, privilege and survival. The values of accompaniment look like mutuality, vulnerability, inclusivity, empowerment and sustainability. Sermon for ELCIC Global Mission Sunday, Feb…. Continue reading