(Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent A, March 12, 2017, based on John 3:1-17) “The time is surely coming when we must all become mystics, or we will all become atheists….” These thought-provoking words were posted on Facebook several days ago by a retired pastor-friend. In response, I typed, “Amen!,” and I’ve … More We Must All Become Mystics
(Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent A, March 5, 2017, based on Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 and Matthew 4:1-11) Some things never change. Adam and Eve had it all: Every day they walked and talked with God in a beautiful, bountiful Paradise. What more could any human being possibly want?!… Ummm…well, according to today’s lesson from … More Some Things Never Change!
(Sermon for Ash Wednesday A, March 1, 2017, based Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21) Some of you know I had a birthday last week, and I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more I see birthdays as kind of a “mixed blessing.” On the one hand, it’s always nice to be the center … More Birthdays, Baptism, and Our Heart’s True Treasure
(Sermon for the Transfiguration of Our Lord A, Feb. 26, 2017, based on Matthew 17:1-9) I’m glad you’ve come to worship today, sisters and brothers, because God has something to say to us, and we all need to hear it…. As incredible as it sounds, words that were spoken to Jesus’ friends on a mountaintop … More God’s Portable Gift
(Sermon for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany A, February 12, 2017, Matthew 5:21-37 and Deuteronomy 30:15-20) As I read our Scripture lessons for today, I’m pretty sure God isn’t too happy with many of God’s people right now. In our lesson from Deuteronomy, Moses lays out the choices God’s people face in every … More Choose Life!
(Sermon for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany A, based on Matthew 5:13-20) On Friday there was a wonderful story in The Oregonian about a woman named Mary Bayless. The article doesn’t say whether or not Mary is a Christian, but the way she lives her daily life certainly exemplifies what Christian living … More YOU Are Salt and Light!
(Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany A, based on Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Micah 6:6-8) I’ll never forget the day about twenty years ago, when I was on my seminary internship, and my supervisor said to me, “For every pastor there comes a time when you have to decide, ‘What … More The Power of the Cross
(Sermon for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany A 2017; Matthew 4:12-23 and Isaiah 9:1-4) In every age, God’s people have lived through dark times, and in every age God has sent messengers to bear the light of God’s Word into their darkness. Today you and I are the ones called to carry the … More Learning to See with Eyes of Love
(Sermon for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany A, January 15, 2017 + Commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Based on John 1:29-42 and Isaiah 49:1-7 ) Our sons, Peter and David, just moved into their dorm room yesterday afternoon. Of course, we’ll miss having them at home, but since they’re right here … More Called to Be Light in the Darkness
I earned a new nickname this week: “Comrade Pastor.” Wow!… My new moniker was part of a lengthy email we received in the church office this past week. I’m not sure how I feel about being dubbed “Comrade Pastor.” Part of me feels resigned to the fact that this is … More A Love Letter to My Haters
Rose City Ramblin' 