I once claimed the only thing you would see me running for is the state line. I do not know where I heard. But I adopted it for my own selfish purposes. Now I am running for the city School Board. So what on earth would I want to do that for? Running For I now serve a church in my hometown. And I love it. It is weird to consider that my generation has become the leaders. Kurt Vonnegut... Read more
Denying ourselves some simple pleasures for forty day is not easy. Pleasures are important to happiness. Having them and making use of them are part of our lives. They are also part of our routine. Many of us approach Lent with some concerns. Am I say my prayers correctly. I did not read my Devotional today. Did I fail Lent? It is a surprising thought for many of us to consider. Am I denying grace during Lent? Denying Self Obviously,... Read more
I hope I am not violating any copyright or trademark protections with my title. I suppose I could have called it “real covenant hope.” Or I could have said “Covenant Promise.” But I believe I describe God Almighty’s covenant with Abraham correctly as being one of hope. The story from Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 is very important to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is a pivotal event. Everything we know of God’s faithfulness turns from here. St. Paul and James both... Read more
“Of course, war is entertaining” – Screwtape Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not entertainment for the people experiencing it. Ukrainian civilians and soldiers are being injured and killed. Russian soldiers are dying too. Politicians from the West are reassuring and arming NATO allies at an alarming rate. The truth takes a beating. The infotainment of 24 hour news and social media is reminds me of a Medieval feast. People engorge themselves with Misinformation, disinformation, and lies. They spew it all... Read more
Forgive me for approaching what many take as serious business lightly. What some people believe is a revolution is really nothing of the sort. It is not even a reformation. It is a tantrum. May 1st is International Labor Day. I remember the pictures of the annual parades displaying the Soviet arsenal. Unfortunately, Americans do not know the holiday comes from our own labor history. The Haymarket bombing and the show trial that followed are the stuff of tragic comedies.... Read more
The story is about the end of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness. We are beginning the forty days of Lent. It can hardly seem like a time of fasting when family spring vacations are being planned. And when all sorts of goodies are on the shelves in the stores. If you like celebrating St. Patrick’s Day…well that’s always in Lent. We must make certain exceptions given how the employment and school times work together and against each other. A... Read more
It is easy to criticize. I know that all too well. Being a pastor makes me open to that sort of thing. Fear of criticism, though, paralyzes any positive actions that might be taken. But then we may fear criticism if those efforts fail. I promised four but sneaked in a fifth one here in the introductory paragraph. You’re welcome. What If They Do Not Need Us? Would the community notice if your church closed? Is that a fear? Most... Read more
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18 NRSV) A colleague recently said our churches are tempted to become gated communities. I thought about that for a few days afterwards and realized that is the description Jesus gives of Hell. Biblical Hell The text quoted above describes “the gates of Hell.” Hell (Hades in Greek or Sheol in Hebrew) is... Read more
The leader began with the story. “There is evil abroad.” And the tale continued from there. There are two basic scenarios. The evil will soon be turned against us. Or the evil victimizes people like us. This was Putin against Ukraine. Bush-Cheney against Iraq. Hitler against Poland. Nicholas II against the Austria-Hungarian Empire. The justification for the Crusades. And so on and on. States with Christian backgrounds do what states have always done. They choose an enemy and go to... Read more
I will discuss the transition of a friend who I first knew as “Seth.” It is important the names are not real to protect her anonymity. So now she is called “Camille.” A friend who transitions presents an interesting situation. When any other member of the LGBTQ community comes out, their friends are learning about something they did not know about the person. When a person announces the decision to transition, it seems to many of their friends and family... Read more
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