Do you ever think much about your rights? Oh, I suppose that we hear some pundit or newsmaker every day talk about rights in some way or another, or some wild eyed radical is standing outside the local grocery shouting that his rights have been infringed upon. However, in the day to day getting by … Continue reading Exercising My Right
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The Problem We Face
"I make over $250,000 a year, between my wife and I," Thomas Jacoby, a 62-year-old contractor, tells me in Woodbridge. "I don't want to share it with anybody." Ruth Marcus - The 'Socialist' Scare - washingtonpost.com. “MINE!” It’s something that any parent with more than one kid has heard at least a hundred times. “NO! YOU … Continue reading The Problem We Face
In The Order of Things: A Sermon on Romans 13:1-10
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold … Continue reading In The Order of Things: A Sermon on Romans 13:1-10
Known By Our Fruits
Later, Obama came to the long table where Fanning and other members of a local First Presbyterian church were gathered. He held out his hand to her and asked, “How are you, ma’am?” but she declined to shake his hand. 'Socialist,' 'Muslim' Ugly reception for Obama - Politico Staff - Politico.com.
Hate and Disrespect Are Not A Christian Values
I just finished watching a YouTube video that left me shaking my head. It featured persons in Johnstown, PA entering a rally with one of the vice presidential candidates screaming epithets at a group of supporters of the other candidate. The language was coarse, and the sentiments shared played upon all sorts of stereotypes. Although … Continue reading Hate and Disrespect Are Not A Christian Values
Bevel
A top lieutenant to Martin Luther King Jr. was sentenced Wednesday in a Virginia court to 15 years in prison for incest for having sex with his teenage daughter.The Rev. James L. Bevel was a key architect of the 1963 Children's Crusade in Birmingham, Ala., and other pivotal moments of the civil rights movement. He … Continue reading Bevel
A World Premiere
Red State, Blue State – The Sermon
Please see the previous post to catch the introduction to this sermon. Don’t you wish our world could be as simple as a children’s story? The people of Kazoo lived happily ever after when THEY heard from the teacher. But we seem much less willing to respond to Christ’s call to love. That seems especially … Continue reading Red State, Blue State – The Sermon
Red State, Blue State – The Sermon
Please see the previous post to catch the introduction to this sermon. Don’t you wish our world could be as simple as a children’s story? The people of Kazoo lived happily ever after when THEY heard from the teacher. But we seem much less willing to respond to Christ’s call to love. That seems especially … Continue reading Red State, Blue State – The Sermon
With Apologies to Dr. Seuss
Once upon a time, in the land of Kazoo, lived two grizzled old men, one red and one blue. Across the street from each other, in houses alike, and out on the street they both road their bikes. But though they were bikers, and lived very close, they avoided each other, and thought the other … Continue reading With Apologies to Dr. Seuss
In Honor of Chris & Brin’s Wedding Tonight
A tip of the hat to Jeremy for this fine video, and many happy returns to Chris and Brin.
Wilderness Opportunities
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless … Continue reading Wilderness Opportunities
Red State, Blue State. How ‘Bout A New State?
This Sunday I am preaching a sermon on the belief in early Christianity that our citizenship is in another kingdom than the one in which we reside during our time on earth. The sermon is titled: “Red State, Blue State. How ‘Bout A New State?”, which is a take off on the Dr. Seuss classic, … Continue reading Red State, Blue State. How ‘Bout A New State?
Red State, Blue State. How ‘Bout A New State?
This Sunday I am preaching a sermon on the belief in early Christianity that our citizenship is in another kingdom than the one in which we reside during our time on earth. The sermon is titled: “Red State, Blue State. How ‘Bout A New State?”, which is a take off on the Dr. Seuss classic, … Continue reading Red State, Blue State. How ‘Bout A New State?
McCain and the Tongue
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.—James … Continue reading McCain and the Tongue
The Music of My Twenties
With the end of the Reagonomics at hand (something I've been predicting for a while), I've found myself being nostalgic for 1980's, MTV High Rotation pop music, especially the LA based bands which were made up of session musicians who would do a great album or two but then fall apart as egos clashed and … Continue reading The Music of My Twenties
The Economy of the Kingdom
This is the fourth in a series of sermons on The Sermon on the Mount, preached at the Antioch United Methodist Church in Nashville. Bear Sterns. Lehman Brothers. Fannie May and Freddie Mac. AIG. Washington Mutual. Just a few months ago these were names that we may have been familiar with, but were hardly on … Continue reading The Economy of the Kingdom
A Crow Kind of Day
I've been in a Sheryl Crow mood all day and since there isn't a good copy of "Peace Be Upon Us" on YouTube this will have to do. It's probably fitting given the great gasoline shortage of 2008...
To Be A Maverick
The word “maverick” has been tossed about quite a bit lately, and I always love to consider the origins of words. Consider Merriam Webster’s definition: mav·er·ick 1: an unbranded range animal ; especially : a motherless calf 2: an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party Etymology: Samuel A. Maverick … Continue reading To Be A Maverick
Another Great Found Resource
A couple of years ago, I became aware of an “alternative” youth worker’s gathering focused on ministry in urban areas. I had been familiar with Youth Specialties and the National Youth Worker’s Convention (attending several times) but the Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI) was new to me, and I’ve tried to figure out a … Continue reading Another Great Found Resource
Only Wonder Understands 