~ 1 John 4 ~ There are a lot of words in the bible and church about God, words that attempt to describe God, define God. Words like ‘almighty’, ‘all-powerful’, ‘majestic’, ‘sovereign’ ‘unchanging’, ‘omnipresent’, ‘holy’. Theologians through the ages have stumbled around trying to define God. For every description of … Read More
~ John 14:4-11/Luke 15:11-32 ~ It’s hard to hear fresh words about Jesus. We’ve been talking about Jesus for two thousand years after all. His name is used in both blessings and curses. Art featuring Jesus is everywhere. He has his own line of jewelry. Christmas and Easter … Read More
~ Psalm 8/Exodus 15/Revelation 4 ~ I want to play a word association game with you. I’m going to say a word and I want you to picture whatever first pops into your head. Ready? God. Hold on to that image. The scripture readings were a bit jarring, weren’t they? … Read More
Mark 7:1-7/Matthew 23 “Civility” is in the news these days. The lack of it, that is. A restaurant owner tells a certain White House press secretary that he will not serve her and the hue and cry over uncivility fills the airwaves. But what really raised the hackles of many … Read More
~ 1 Samuel 16:1-13 ~ Leonard Bernstein’s enigmatic musical theatre work, Mass, from the 70’s, begins with all the performers in harmony and agreement. The celebrant begins the mass with a beautiful, haunting song: Sing God a simple song, Lauda, Laude Make it up as you go along Lauda, laude … Read More
~ 1 Samuel 8: 1-11, 16-20 ~ “Be careful what you ask for.” These were the words of Dr. James Forbes, Pastor Emeritus of the famous Riverside Church in NYC, the same church where Harry Emerson Fosdick was the pastor in the 1930’s. I was attending a conference on the … Read More