Have you ever had one of those days when you didn’t feel like you belong? Maybe you’re somewhere new…somewhere different…and you’re not confident you’re going to fit in? When I was a college student, there was a woman I dated during my junior year. (This was, of course, before I’d been swept off my feet by … More Erase the Lines
With heartbreak and horror, we have watched conflict and violence erupt in Israel and within the Gaza Strip. The destruction, death, and broken lives that we see in the news takes your breath away. There are no simple solutions to conflict that has, for decades, erupted in deep emotion and intense political debates. This conflict is complicated, … More Praying for Peace
“The Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds, tending them with oil and wine. Then he placed the wounded man on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he took two full days’ worth of wages and gave them to the innkeeper. He said, ‘Take … More Hello, Neighbor
The people were angry. They were. The Jewish people had been robbed of their land, and their dignity. They were subjects to the Romans, their rights had been taken away and the Roman soldiers were regularly mistreating, beating and even killing those who broke any kind of law or rule. Emotions were high, and the people were angry. Enter … More Something Different
This week, we’re continuing our 8-week sermon series called “Truths Along the Way.” Our series is focusing on the truths Jesus taught through the parables. In today’s Gospel reading, you may recognize the story of “The Parable of the Talents.” It is a parable about a master who entrusts his servants with his property before heading off … More You’re Going to Need a Bigger Box
Sam, our youngest son, and I were on a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area trip a couple of weeks ago. We’d been paddling up along the Canadian border. It was our last night in the wilderness and we were looking for our camp site. Paddling on two different lakes, Alpine and then … More Crossing Boundaries
I recently read a story by Pastor JoAnn Post about her niece. This precocious 5-year old was asked to lead table grace at Christmas dinner. But instead of simply jumping into “Come Lord Jesus, be our guest…” as was the family tradition, the child decided to “go rogue.” With hands folded, head bowed and one … More Justified
Test Driving Theology 