In Praise of Folly
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Whether you find yourself jumping at the site of a spider or working up a sweat at the mere thought of boarding an airplane, fears and phobias seem to plague just about every one of us, often in very debilitating ways. If I were to ask you to...
In Praise of the Imperfect Life
Jeremiah 1:4-10 Ordained ministry is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling vocations imaginable. As a pastor, I am given to share with others both the ache and the awe of human experience—to sit with others in their darkest hour, to share with them in their...
Without Let or Hindrance — A Sermon on Homosexuality and the Christian Faith
Acts 8:26-40 Later this afternoon, United Methodist clergy and laypersons from our Annual Conference will meet in Pasadena with our Bishop, Minerva Carcano, for what is called a time of “Holy Conferencing on Biblical Obedience.” Both Rev. Martha and I will attend,...
Why I Love Rush Limbaugh
This week marked the 50th anniversary of the Children’s Crusade against racial segregation. The march through downtown Birmingham was led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and ended with Eugene “Bull” Connor unleashing fire hoses and police dogs on the...
Peace Be Unto You
I know you join me in prayer for the countless lives irrevocably changed by the horrific events in Boston on Monday. We pray for those who have lost their lives and those who have lost their way of life; for those who suffer from physical, mental and emotional...
Seeing in the Dark
How did you come to believe in God? As you look back over the course of your life, were there unique experiences or events that shaped your faith and understanding of God? In my particular line of work, I tend to hear a lot of “conversion” stories from people. Some...