When certain momentous events happen in life, especially on a Saturday, the preacher is presented with a challenge: drop the planned sermon and re-group, or continue on as planned.The events yesterday – the vitriol and violence in Charlottesville – certainly present a challenge. But I am not sure another text is better than those words from Isaiah today. I am deeply moved by the anthem that Nathan offered. And the story of Dorcas – the window – also calls us appropriately today to discipleship. Se we carry on.
Read MoreThe story of God and God’s people begins with the story of Abraham and Sarah, which begins in Genesis 12. Across the recent weeks and months, several of my sermons have engaged us with the early stories: God calling Abraham and Sarah and telling them to go, go to the land that he would show them. God would be their God and they would be God’s people. He would bless them and make them a blessing in the world.
Read MoreIn my recent week off, I read another book by thoughtful and well-known preacher, writer, and podcaster – Rob Bell. You may recall other books of his that I have read and referenced. He has several very good ones. Bell’s most recent book is entitled, What Is the Bible? – how an ancient library of poems, letters, and stories can transform the way you think and feel about everything.
Read MoreToday, Pentecost Sunday, is the one of the few Sundays of the year when we wear RED. If we were in our Sanctuary, and you are familiar with this church, it is the Sunday when we have those wonderful “tongues of fires” banners hanging and slowly twirling over us. Let’s pause and just imagine them.
Read MoreThe book of Genesis, the first book in the Bible, is a fascinating and fantastic story. Genesis begins, you recall, when the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind of God swept over the face of the waters. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis presents the truth that all creation comes from God. God was before. God is Creator. God reigns over all.
Read MoreA few of you know that I have become a big fan of “THE DAILY.” “The Daily” comes out each weekday - a free podcast - and once you download the app, it shows up every weekday for your listening pleasure. Hosted by Michael Barbaro, 20 minutes each day, you get some really important and fresh insights on pertinent news. Michael Barbaro writes for the New York Times and, on “The Daily,” he simply calls up his colleagues all around the world, who also work at the New York Times, but who are working on the hottest stories. You get a great conversation and keen insights into the latest news. It is fascinating, fun, and so informative.
Read MoreIn the Richmond Times Dispatch on Thursday of this week, there was a large picture depicting significant events in New Orleans. The picture showed a crane removing the statue of Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard. The headline reported: “3rd Rebel Statue pulled down in New Orleans.” Then, a few paragraphs into the article the mayor of New Orleans commented: “Today we take another step in defining our city not by our past but by our bright future. While we must honor our history, we will not allow the Confederacy to be put on a pedestal in the heart of New Orleans.”
Read MoreAs we continue this “Word of the Week” series, one of you suggested to Kathryn and me that we preach a sermon, not on one word, but on the many small words in our language, for example – the prepositions. As we think about words and language, it is not just the words that matter, but how the words connect to other words. Critical prepositions often frame the meaning of words. In fact, the one who suggested this knows, not just about language, but about translations, even Bible translations. The critical issue in translating the Bible is so often how the little words, the connecting words, the prepositions get translated. Those little words determine much about the larger words.
Read MoreSome of you know that the first church I served as pastor was Pickens Presbyterian Church, in Pickens, SC. From 1988-1997 (nine wonderful years) Ginger and I lived in the upstate of SC and continue to love the people of that church and place. Our children had their formative years there. The congregation in Pickens nourished us, shared faith with us, and taught us so much about ministry.
Read MoreIn the 12th chapter of Genesis, as we heard this morning, God called Abraham to leave his homeland and GO – go to a land that he did not know. God promises Abraham that he will be the father of a great nation and have many descendants, descendants as numerous as the sands of the seashore and the stars in the sky.
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