On Wednesday, at the end of a long and busy day, I took a moment to pray for the United States. I confess my prayer was not very profound. Like many of you, I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning watching the election returns. I was tired. I struggled Read More...
On Wed., Nov. 9, the sun will rise in the east while over 300 million Americans prepare for another day in school or eight hours of work at the office or some other task. There will be homework assigned, meetings held and meals prepared. Your day will no doubt reflect something similar. Read More...
The Bible teaches that spiritual growth, change and new life are possible. However, this change is rarely quick or easy. I am certain this desire for change comes from a deep yearning within to go home, to feel safe, to be known. The main character in Pat Conroy’s novel, Beach Music says, Read More...
Mark was in my youth group in California. The youth were planning a mission trip to Mexico to build homes for some of the poorest of the poor. His parents were forcing him to go with us. He was not happy about this. He made his anger very clear to me and Read More...
Jonathan Martin, in his book How to Survive a Shipwreck, writes about the work of the Spirit, “The trademark of the Spirit is to first bewilder, not clarify. The fog that comes doesn’t always obscure the Spirit—sometimes it is the Spirit. To welcome Pentecost is to open ourselves to the possibility that God may be working in that Read More...
Early on Wednesday of this week I was on my way to the church when I ran into heavy traffic on Ward Parkway. I made a lane change to move past a long line of slow moving cars. I noticed a car coming up behind me at a very high rate of Read More...
On a recent flight, I lucked out and got an exit row seat with extra leg room. I’d had a busy couple of days. I was worn out, looking forward to a nap. No such luck. The man next to me wanted to talk. I tried to politely signal that I wanted Read More...
Helping folks move beyond the cloud of guilt is one of the most important works of the church. Guilt is not a bad thing if it helps you examine mistakes and failures. Guilt can be a bridge from sin and sorrow to new life and a new way of living but if Read More...
I like to say, especially when facing a tough task or serious issue that needs resolution, “I am ordained to be hopeful.” As a minister in the church of Jesus Christ I see the world and the people I serve through the lens of the resurrection story. Easter tells us death is Read More...
Paul ends his letter to the church in Corinth with a blessing: “The amazing grace of Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God and the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.” The first word on Paul’s list, grace, implies that God loves all people. To make sure we get it he adds a word about God’s extravagant love. Paul is painting with a broad brush here, so it is up to you and me to fill in the details.
Julie and I are looking forward to a couple of weeks off beginning next week. Vacation means extra time for reading! Here are some of the books I’ll be enjoying this summer. How to Survive a Shipwreck, by Johnathan Martin. This book is getting a lot of buzz among my clergy friends. Read More...
A man came to see the great German theologian, Martin Luther. The young adult was afraid that he might be committing a sin and end up being punished and sent to eternal fire for something he didn’t even realize he was doing wrong. He was overwhelmed with worry. Luther could hardly contain Read More...
Last Sunday as the KU Chamber Singers combined with our own Chancel Choir filled the rafters of our sanctuary with the overwhelmingly beautiful sound of the final anthem for the day, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” my vision was momentarily blocked by the tears pooling in my eyes. I could barely Read More...
Tim Hansel, in his book You Gotta Keep Dancin’, tells how his faith grew following a hiking accident. He had fallen and broken his back. After years of physical therapy he was still in pain. He recovered and was able to move around, run, and exercise, but the constant ache never left. Read More...
When have you have grown the most in your faith, in your search for something holy and sacred? When have you discovered that pearly ache for something beyond your own simple desires? Was it at a time when everything was perfect and wonderful and there was nothing to worry about or did Read More...
