1Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me! 2For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy? ~Psalm 43.1-2 (NRSV) I seek … Continue reading “Lent 4 – And the Self-righteous Shall Inherit…”
Category: God
Lent 2 – Whom Shall I Fear?
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?~Psalm 27.1 (NRSV) Fear is a powerful motivator in so much of my life, more than I am often willing admit to myself. I am afraid of letting people down: my family, my parishioners, my friends. I am afraid of letting God down (and … Continue reading “Lent 2 – Whom Shall I Fear?”
A Pope Resigns with Wisdom and Grace
There is wisdom in knowing one’s limits. There is wisdom in knowing one’s abilities. The news this week is that Pope Benedict XVI is resigning, the first to do so in 600 years. There have been numerous times in my career as a pastor when I have felt the need to counsel someone on their … Continue reading “A Pope Resigns with Wisdom and Grace”
A Letter to Anti-Church Prognosticators: Just Cut the Crap Already!
To those who would say that the Church is an antiquated and dying institution that continues to cling to the myth of an all powerful God: Mission trips, Sunday nights, summer beach campouts, and food fights in the fellowship hall were all part of my church experience. We got into our fair share of trouble. … Continue reading “A Letter to Anti-Church Prognosticators: Just Cut the Crap Already!”
The Promise of Joy: A Response to the Massacre in Connecticut
President Obama pauses while addressing the nation from the White House briefing room the afternoon of the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. (Dec. 14, 2012) Below is the sermon I preached on December 16, 2012 at University Presbyterian Church, the third Sunday in Advent, in response to the shooting massacre … Continue reading “The Promise of Joy: A Response to the Massacre in Connecticut”