“The Darkness Is Inevitable” Psalm 23 Last summer, when I planned our “Simply Put” sermon series, I had in my mind the image of a wise, venerable sage, in the sunset of his or her life, sitting at a desk with pen and paper in a quiet, lamp-lit study, transcribing for us the simplest truths of faith and life—the holy, indispensable lessons that only one who has experienced the wonders and anguish, the heights and depths of life, could ever truly convey. She sits at her desk, and in the … [Read more...]
Mental Illness and the Christian Faith
Be Well Luke 8:26-39 “How are you?” It’s the most common question in all the world, in every culture. “How are you?” “Como esta?” “Comment allez-vous?” “Come Va?” In my household, it's ‘Wutz poppin’?” “Wutz buzzin cousin?” “How’s your gravy?” “ Wassabi?” How are you? It’s both the most commonly asked question and the most halfheartedly, guardedly, disingenuously answered question, too. We rarely answer it truthfully. Instead, we turn to one of our standard, innocuous responses. … [Read more...]
Besieged
Besieged Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Over the last couple of weeks I’ve never been so acutely aware of how differently people see the world. I’ve heard from so many of you about your perspectives on the presidential election and, from what I can gather, the general sentiment is somewhere between euphoric and apocalyptic. It’s a reminder of how we can all be looking at the same thing yet see it so differently. I thought about the woman who went to the auto shop to pick up her car. The man at the … [Read more...]
Remember
“Re:member” -- Psalm 77 Since the days of the Early Church, Christians have always observed a season of preparation for Easter that focuses on the themes of penance, reconciliation, prayer and good works. We set aside time for honest self-reflection, to ask ourselves, “How is it with my soul?” “How is it between me and God, or my neighbors, friends, enemies, strangers?” “Where in my life, in my relationships, is there brokenness and a need for forgiveness or reconciliation?” “What doubts, … [Read more...]
Ancient Vinyl
The Magnificat -- Luke 1:46-55 The tragic news out of San Bernardino this week is enough to break our hearts in two and send us all to our knees in prayer. San Bernardino is my birthplace and the city of my childhood. It holds a special place in my heavy heart this week. It’s home to many friends and family members. It’s where Lori and I met and began dating at the age of sixteen, where both of our mothers still live, and where many of my colleagues pastor churches in these days of grief and … [Read more...]
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