At our Good Friday service last night we were challenged by the hymn"The Old Rugged Cross". As I thought about the hymn I thought about working with carpenters on various projects. I thought about watching them select wood for the project and at least once I was told to throw a piece away because it... Continue Reading →
Loving enough to say no. Or not.
Over the last day I've been thinking about Jesus's actions in the garden. I've been especially drawn to the part in Jon depiction where Peter cuts off the servants ear with sword (join 18:10-11) He love Jesus enough that he would risk sacrificing his own life to try to save Jesus. After all to attempt... Continue Reading →
Following the Crowd
Today is the day we all, with the crowd of Jerusalem, shout hosanna; we lay down palms and imagine a donkey trotting over them. There are times that our shuts and praises take us back and put us into the midst of the crowd. This morning you heard about the crowds who were squeezing into... Continue Reading →
Real Life
I happen to be reading two very different books right now for two different reasons. The first is Ray Johnston’s Jesus Called He wants his Church Back and the second is C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Both of these books strike at a very important thought, “What is the real world”. Ray Johnston tells... Continue Reading →
Learning Love in Caramel Cream
Last week I went grocery shopping for my family, walking into the house I asked my daughter if she wanted to help me unload groceries. Her response was, “No, Daddy I don’t want to.” Undaunted by this rebuff I posed the question a second time only this time I asked, “Would you please help me?”... Continue Reading →
Fast?
Today marks the start of Lent, a season traditionally dominated by fasting. Yet today, many Christians are preferring to say as a preacher friend did to me recently, “Rather than fasting, I want to add something new during Lent.” Meaning, rather than giving up anything, this person was going to add a spiritual discipline. Now... Continue Reading →
Church Safety?
More and more I am seeing calls for increased security in our places of worship as a response to the increased number of mass shooting in this country. I am greatly saddened by this fact, not because people want to have a measure of safety, but because modern American society has been reduced to a... Continue Reading →
Christmas Isn’t About Being Happy.
There are a few songs that I feel sum up how most Americans approach Christmas and one of those is Eddie Pola & George Wyle’S “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It's... Continue Reading →
What do I Expect?
There are just times in life where I resonate with Charlie Brown, I ask, “Advent is a time of expectation and anticipation, but what am I expecting?” And I hear in response, “Well Christmas …Duh.” I look around and I ask, “Is that what everyone else is expecting?” “Well, yes.” “So, these people burning themselves... Continue Reading →
Listening at Babel
This past Monday we were setting the sanctuary for World Communion Sunday. Among the additions to our regular worship space was a series of small flags representing various countries around the world. The intent of the flags is to help the congregation focus on Christians in these countries. I was talking with another man about... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 