The weather determines if I observe evening prayer or vespers on the back deck of my house. This Autumn, I noticed something that I could not remember happening before. Along the fence in the backyard, one tree loses all of its leaves in November. It is that time when I can get the best view of the birds that stop there on the way to and from my bird feeders. Once the winter took hold and the sun began to... Read more
Today is inauguration day. Last November, Trumpism won the majority of the elections. I watched the returning President’s speech. Yet, I am not critiquing it today. I jotted down these thoughts a few weeks ago. Like many people, I asked myself what the people supporting Donald Trump were doing. Were they ignorant? Were they evil? Had they been conned? The answers to these questions are all of these and none simultaneously. I listened to what Trump supporters said. And I... Read more
(This post is from my sermon for January 5th based on Ephesians 3:1-12) Epiphany is the celebration of people who recognize God’s revelation in Jesus Christ. On Christmas Eve, I talked about the wise men’s visit to Bethlehem, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They followed the star, a sign in the heavens that showed God was at work in the world. The Magi recognized this for what it was. They asked in Jerusalem, “Where is the newly born... Read more
Some people think I am a real person. It is a good bet that I am simply a character in a story – a parable – designed to enlighten the minds of listeners. My name is unknown. I was never worthy of one. You call me the “Good Samaritan.” Another person said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Good Neighbors Why do you call me that, anyway? You know. I am labeled as the “Good Samaritan.” Jesus never calls me... Read more
Jesus was guilty. Yes, I know we say Jesus died without sin. Still, it is possible to be guilty and without sin. The present age is not different from any other in this fact. We often hold people accountable for actions we lack the courage to do. We participate in the sins of other people including the majority opinion. This is the point where Jesus was guilty. Actually he was guilty on several points. Jesus Was Guilty For Not Condemning... Read more
First, I thought something had fallen. Then I thought someone had come into the church annex through the back door. “Hello?” I called tentatively. No one answered. Getting up from the desk in the pastor’s study, I looked around the lower floor. There was a shadow behind a curtain. I guessed correctly what it was. The juvenile bird began frantically flying to get away from me. When she finally settled, she eyed me. I am not the world’s best birder.... Read more
An Egyptian Coptic Christian once asked me, “Do Methodists follow the Pope in Italy?” My reply, “If anything we may honor him as Bishop of Rome, but to call him our spiritual leader then no.” I did not expect the gentleman to understand. Still, he loved visiting our church. The Heresy of the Pope Francis, in his service as a Bishop of Rome, has been a great ambassador for Jesus Christ in this world. But after his interview with 60... Read more
Yesterday, all heaven broke loose. Five years ago, it was all hell. The people who accused the rest of us in The United Methodist Church of not keeping our vows acted like an abusive spouse destroying the house while demanding a divorce. It was not a surprise. But yesterday, it all went away for awhile at least. Where there was pain, anger, shouting, and crying five years ago, there was song, dancing, hugging, and celebration instead. Heaven Meets Earth We... Read more
I kept wishing he would turn, change lanes, and just go away. He would not. I was behind a hate-filled Christian. On his back windshield were two stickers. One was a scripture quote, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” The other was Donald Trump dressed as Calvin from the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip urinating on the name Biden. If I was this person’s pastor, I would be ashamed. All About The Hate Oddly enough,... Read more
Birds build nests. But only recently did I see a pair of mockingbirds in the process of deconstructing a robin’s nest. I saw it happen gradually just outside my front window in the dogwood tree. I was interested for one reason only. The nest stayed empty and unused for the previous three years. Instead of merely reusing the nest, the pair took it apart twig by twig and stem by stem to build their own in a nearby bush. Perhaps,... Read more
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