My UCC colleague Christine Smith, who teaches at United Seminary, tells the story of a friend named Kay. Kay was walking the streets of New York City one day with her lunch in hand when she passed a woman rummaging in the trashcan. After she passed, Kay paused and turned back to ask the woman, “Would you like my lunch?” The woman looked up and said, “No, thank you, I’ve already eaten.” Kay began to walk on and then turned... Read more

The curious lad lingered around the blacksmith shop watching the old smith work. The boy was always getting in the way and into things, but the smith tried to be patient, remembering that he had once been an inquisitive kid. The smith began hammering links of white hot iron into horseshoes. Having finished one, he tossed it into a sand pile to cool. The boy ran over to it, and, before the smith could warn him, he picked it up.... Read more

The Gospel lesson on Sunday was one of the most familiar stories in literature. Even if you know nothing about the Bible you know what a Good Samaritan is. Most of us even know that Samaritans were reviled people in Jesus’ day, so making a hero of one was startling to his listeners. I suppose it would be something like making a hero of George Zimmerman in a story told to an African-American congregation. The dominant interpretation of this story... Read more

The old woman stood in the longest line at the grocery store. She had nothing in her hand but her purse. When she finally reached the front, she opened her purse, took out a $20 bill, and said to the cashier, “When I was here earlier you gave me $20 too much change. I got all the way home on the bus before I realized it, but I came back as quickly as I could. I hope you didn’t get... Read more

On Saturday evening, a jury informed us that they believed George Zimmerman was not guilty of murdering 17-year-old, unarmed Trayvon Martin. It was hard to sleep after the verdict was announced. Despite the fact that I had to get up early the next morning and preach about the Good Samaritan, I could not go to sleep. As I have aged, I have made a concerted effort to nurture self-doubt. I went to seminary very certain about many things. I left... Read more

Okay, I’ve kept my mouth shut long enough. I know that some of you must think something is wrong with me, but I haven’t said a word about the recent Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, both of which advanced marriage equality in this country. Like all of you, I was happy that the rulings were a positive step forward, and I thought we should take time to celebrate. Well, that time is up.... Read more

We went to the grocery store last Saturday night and spent more than $200. Now, we don’t eat much beef in my house, and I almost always buy store brands or generic products. Bill and I were very poor during the early years of our marriage. I was in ministry 15 years before a church was foolish enough to pay me $20,000 a year. We learned to clip coupons and go to the store on “double coupon days.” On Saturday... Read more

I recently heard someone order a “Skinny Sleeper Latte” in a coffee shop. The description explained that it was made with decaffeinated coffee and non-fat milk. I think I would have called it a “Why Bother?” It tastes like a latte, but it is all foam and no power. Unfortunately, that is too accurate a description of faith for most of us. It makes us feel warm inside but does little to enliven our lives or transform the patterns of... Read more

Failure may be as beneficial as success if we grow from the experience. Growth from failure can make it a sacred, sacramental experience. The church of Jesus Christ has certainly made its share of mistakes, which may be why Jesus used crushed grapes and broken bread as our touchstone sacrament. When we fail, God does not say, “I’m disappointed in you,” but says, “I’m disappointed for you.” Disciples of Jesus learn to shake off the dust and move on to... Read more

Yesterday’s assigned Gospel reading was the story of Jesus sending out the 70. Before they go, Jesus advises them on how to do their work and live their lives. It is the final advice that Jesus gives them, and us, that I find so amazing: “When you fail, dust yourself off and move on.” Notice Jesus didn’t say “if” you fail; he said “when.” Jesus expected us to fail sometimes, even when we were simply trying to do good. What... Read more