A few weeks ago I listened to a Robcast about the “lie of redemptive violence.” In this podcast, Rob Bell explains how this idea of redemptive violence–that violence in retaliation for wrong-doing can be justified–is deep in our society…and even in our theology. But it’s really a myth, and he goes… Continue reading
Sermon: January 1, 2017 (1st Sunday of Christmas) “Love Has Come” Matthew 2:13-23 A friend of mine is a missionary in South Sudan, living and working in a refugee camp. She homeschools her 3 boys while her husband does leadership training and discipleship in the community. And she loves it. … Continue reading
I was setting up my nativity characters for chapel this week, and was reminded about a preschool chapel last year that became the central illustration in a sermon I preached on Dec. 20, 2015. The sermon was in the context of a ‘Traveler’s Christmas,’ a Christmas Eve service for those… Continue reading
In pondering the sermon for this Sunday, I discovered that I actually had two sermons. This is the one that won’t get preached. Text: Matthew 5:13-16 In the movie Lion King, Simba is born into greatness. A descendant of the king, he is told from a young age that he… Continue reading
My congregation is doing a 6-week sermon/study series based on the book by John Ortberg, If you Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. I’ve been familiar with this book for quite some time, but I don’t think I’ve read it. The book is based… Continue reading
I recently listened to a podcast by Rob Bell called “Seasons.” He talks about taking his son to college, and realizing that with the change of seasons, come both joys and challenges–even if that change is good and necessary and life-giving. He connected to the story of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene… Continue reading
One of the things I love about being part of a liturgical church is that the rhythm of the church year teaches me new stuff about the ongoing life of faith. In the context of writing a sermon recently, I was reflecting on it again. This is the bit that… Continue reading
“It isn’t so much that people leave religion, I think as it is that, like Olympic runners on a mission, they come to a moment in life when they go beyond the system to the very source of the light. It is the plight of the mystic to enter the… Continue reading
He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. (Psalm 18:19) I read this verse recently, and it reminded me of a conversation we had during staff meeting regarding the upcoming Gospel text for Sunday. This Sunday’s Gospel text is the story of… Continue reading
Every now and then, I have a conversation with someone about the importance of engaging in a faith community of some kind. Sometimes the sense is that folks want to get ‘other things sorted out first’ before focusing on things like spiritual development or faith community. I hear things like,… Continue reading