We Your People, Ours the Journey
a webspace devoted to sermons, thoughts and ramblings from the ministerial journey
"Martha, Martha, Martha" (July 21, 2019) This perpetually challenging text features two sisters-- one who is doing all the work, and one who is just sitting there! You'll never guess which one Jesus praises. But why exactly does he critique Martha, when she is doing the work and service to which she has been called?… Continue reading Sermon: Martha, Martha, Martha
"As Yourself" (July 14, 2019) Jesus tells us, “Love your neighbor as yourself”—but what if you don’t love yourself? How do we begin with compassion for ourselves, and love ourselves as we love our neighbors? (As we read Luke 10:25-37, I invited people to imagine themselves in the role of the person in need of compassion)
"Free to Be" (July 7, 2019) What does it mean that “Jesus sets us free?” From what are we set free? What if we don't feel that we are free from the sorrow or pain or despair? (Galatians 5:1, 13-25)
"Look Up" (June 30, 2019) What happens when God asks the impossible? In this ever-challenging text, God asks Abraham to be prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Our reaction to this is so visceral, so horrified, that this alone should tell us something about God and about ourselves. (Genesis 22:1-14)
"Careful What You Wish For!" (June 23, 2019) The people demand—and God grants—a king, even though God knows this is not what is best for them. Why do we always seem to want things that are not good for us? Why does God let us do them? (1 Samuel 8)
"Holy Trickery" (June 16, 2019) Does the End Justify the Means? Why does God call and lift up people who break the rules, act in unholy ways, and otherwise set lousy examples? (Genesis 25:24-28; 27:1-26)
"Beyond the Worry" (February 17, 2019) As I prepare to travel to the Called Session of The United Methodist Church, I am not alone in feeling worry about the future of our denomination. But if God cares for the birds and the flowers, perhaps God gives us something inherently human, which will provide for us… Continue reading Sermon: Beyond the Worry
"Beyond the Chaos" (February 10, 2019) Maybe we are not suppose to "retreat" as in withdraw from the world; maybe we are supposed to advance into a greater sense of God-with-us. (1 Kings 19:1-15, Mark 1:29-39)
"Beyond the Horizon" (January 27, 2019) Has the church lost its unique moral voice? Can we, in response to God's call, find a new moral voice for this time and place? (John 1:35-46, Mark 1:14-20)
"Call and Response (Bath)" (January 13, 2019) God draws near to us in the life of Jesus, and in the remembrance of that life in communion. Then, God calls us in baptism. How will we respond? (Isaiah 43:1-7, Mark 1:4-11)
We Your People, Ours the Journey 