When the posture of shame tempts us to close in on ourselves, we can find the courage to reach for Jesus and one another. When we offer ourselves to Jesus, warts and all, we will hear him say “I see you and I love you.” We will sense Jesus inviting us to stand tall, free and open to all the beauty life has to offer.
Preached at Manchester Church of the Brethren. Scripture reference: Genesis 18:1-15, 21: 1-7 **God has made laughter** (song by Kathy Wonson Eddy) Lyrics: God has made laughter, laughter for me. (x3) Is anything impossible for God? Everyone who hears will laugh with me! (x3) Is anything impossible for God? Sarah is such a complicated… Continue reading God has made laughter (sermon, 6/18/17)
A sermon preached on 1Kings and 2Kings, at Wabash Church of the Brethren in Indiana, June 26, 2016. Sometimes in these scriptures, I find myself caught up in the whole sweep of the stories and the depth and quirks of the characters. This week as I was preparing this sermon, as I looked for the… Continue reading Elijah and Elisha
This sermon was preached at North Manchester Church of the Brethren, in Indiana, on July 10, 2016. It was important to the sermon that it was preceded by "Renew Your Church" and "Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness" hymns, a vulnerable and searching pastoral prayer, and a children's story and call to worship about… Continue reading Anger and Lament
A sermon for the second Sunday of Advent Preached at Timbercrest Retirement Community (Luke 1 : 5-25, 57-80) Zechariah could not remember clearly the first day he held these objects, the first day he sang these words. On days like this, it seemed he had been a priest forever. He could remember, though, his father and… Continue reading Zechariah’s Song
A sermon for the first Sunday in Advent. (Luke 21:25-36, Jeremiah 33:10-16, 1 Samuel 2:1-10) Let’s pray. God of light, we wait for you. Spirit of hope, we catch glimpses of you here among us. Christ of glory and vulnerability, come quickly. Grant understanding to our minds and courage to our hearts. Amen. *** Over… Continue reading In Those Days…
This is a reflection I shared at Old South Church's Sunday evening service a few weeks ago. I hesitated to post it here because I don't want to be defined by my struggles, physical or otherwise. And yet, it has become so central to my current life and already in many ways so formative of… Continue reading When Life Becomes Intensely Physical…
Acts 9:36-43 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples,… Continue reading Sermon: Peter Raising Tabitha
**Preached at the Abbey not too long ago. Again, if you use it or any part of it, please just let me know. =) And I'm always happy for feedback. Mark 7:24-37 From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to… Continue reading Syrophoenecian Woman Sermon
This is the sermon I preached at Iona last Sunday... In case anyone would like to read it... John 17:6-19 I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything… Continue reading “Where are you from?” sermon
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