No wonder so many of us are at the ends of our ropes. Reminded of the Message version of the Beatitudes: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” This actually translates from the Greek like this: “Blessed are the […]
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God…” (Romans 8:28) There is a saying in America, an anonymous saying that is not actually in scripture, (that I know of), that says, “There is a reason for everything.” In Ecclesiates there is a scripture that says, “To everything there is […]
“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28-30) It’s […]
“The heavens are telling the glory of God.” (Psalm 19) The seasons are changing. Even here, in this most serene of places, there are changes. The air is cooler at night. The days are a little shorter. There is more moisture in the air: God willing, there will be rain enough to heal the land […]
“My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?,” (Mt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34; Ps. 22), with the story of the Prodigal Son. That loving story with these words of despair from the cross? How do they fit? Jesus was a great teacher. Even from the cross, He taught. He taught that as the psalmist did, […]
“Woman, here is your son…Here is your mother.” (John 19:26d, 27b) Family. Adoption. Belonging. “Woman, here is your son…Here is your mother.” Jesus’ loving words from the cross. The lectionary scripture of Luke 13: 1-9, about people dying horrible deaths, may seem to be unconnected: “Do you think these people were worse sinners than any […]
Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing. (Luke 23:34) Forgiveness. Something very hard to do. But so important that Jesus spoke these words from the cross; the first of all the words He spoke from the cross. There was a woman in a Bible study class, years ago. She told how her son […]
Paradise. The Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of Heaven. A place of childish enthusiasm and persistence. A place where “You must become like a little child,” to enter. A place of love, joy and equality. A place we are told by Jesus to pray for daily: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, […]
SERMON SERIES Easter is not just one day – it is a season. The season of Easter has litergical colors of White and Gold. The season of Easter ends on the day of Pentecost, traditionally the day Moses received the Law. The litergical color of Pentecost is Red; because, on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit appeared […]
FROM PASTOR’S DESK A song about the Prodigal Son returning to his father: He ran to me/He took me in His arms/He pressed my head to His chest/He said, “My child’s come home again.” The words of a new song about an old story. The words of an old song about an eternal story. The […]