Unity is not uniformity
Conflict is sure to happen when intelligent and creative people get together and try to create anything, especially a faith community. What keeps us together is not ignoring the conflict but finding our unity in following Jesus’ model of loving respect and listening for God’s purpose.
Intentional but unexpected
God’s mission is the light coming into the world and dispelling the darkness, but God’s intention, unexpected as it is, is that we are the ones to make that happen.
the Christ had superpowers
The Christ or Messiah was a superhero who had been anticipated by the prophets but he didn’t have any of the normal superpowers – he couldn’t fly or make himself invisible or shape-shift. His superpower was something quite different.
Don’t Sweat the Green Goo
Joseph must have been confused and worried when he found out that his fiance was already pregnant. What was a man to do? Our lives and the socio-political changes in our world often leave us confused and worried. What are we to do?
God’s Love, available to everyone
In the time of Jesus, all physical illness was considered to be the result of sin so healing the sick was declaring God’s love for everyone, even sinners. But this isn’t the kind of Messiah his cousin John was expecting.
The Spirit and the Stump
Advent is a time of hope, of waiting for a new king, who will bring a reign of God. But we too have an active part to play.
Be Ready!
The central theme of Advent is to be ready for Jesus’ coming whether in Bethlehem or in the clouds. Readiness is putting on the armor of light which requires deep inner work as well as practical expression in the way we live.
It’s All About Power!
Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 23:33-43 It’s all about power! Who has it! What it looks like! And how it is executed! On this Feast Day of Christ the King, power is the subject of today’s sermon. On October 31, 1922, Benito Mussolini and his Black Shirts marched into Rome. Mussolini was a fascist, meaning someone who claims to speak for a whole nation or group, is utterly unconcerned with the rights of others, and is willing to use violence…
The transformation of Suffering
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you, oh Holy one. For those of you that may not know, I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at 19 with a brain tumor, and it has been a very integral part of my life and spiritual journey. I mentioned one of my recurrences in a previous sermon. It’s been a long journey so gives me a lot of material to work with.…
Living to the praise of the glory of God
Good morning Saints of God! I have always loved All Saints. That is at least partly because my childhood church was All Saints and made a big thing of its patronal festival. I remember the priest wearing special clothes and processions around the church. But also I love the specialness of being a saint. Yes we think of saints as people who had visions and who did amazing things and around whose relics miracles happened, but that is rather a…