Only Human? A Sermon for Christmas Eve John 1:1-18 One of the tasks that a preacher must engage when preparing for Christmas Eve is to choose which of the Gospel accounts he or she is going to use. Matthew and Luke give us some of the “how” of Jesus’ birth—the familiar stories of shepherds, angels, …
I was doing some reading this week and am always interested in how many people rant about wanting to “put Christ back in Christmas.” Actually, I’ve usually claimed that we should do quite the opposite—to separate Jesus from the orgy of consumerism that Christmas has become and instead seek a wholly alternative kind of Christmas …
Anglican Bishop of Croydon Nick Baines has taken the traditional Christmas carols to task in a new book–"Why Wish You a Merry Christmas?" (Here's the article). Baines examines the carols for their theological and practical content, trying to separate the sentimentality of the song from the reality of the Gospel narratives. Take "Away in a …
When I was a kid I used to love all those animated Christmas specials that came on every year–you know, those Rankin-Bass stop action ones like Rudolph and other classics like Frosty the Snowman and, of course, A Charlie Brown Christmas. I remember my mom circling them all in the TV Guide and making us …
“Oh, yes we need a little Advent, right this very minute” Continue Reading »
As a pastor I get a lot of interesting junk mail, and occasionally some that really gives me pause. It's interesting, for example, how churches are often the mail target of some random fringe individual who sends out an unsigned multi-page manifesto either warning of the evils of religion or, more often, indicting the church …
I was listening to the radio this morning as I drove down to the airport to pick someone up and was interested in all the talk about Tiger Woods’ admitted “transgressions” that have been dominating news coverage while more important issues like the war in Afghanistan and health care reform are pushed a little further …
Check out Seth Godin's blog post "Watch the Money" at http://sethgodin.typepad.com . He talks about the fact that many non-profit leaders don't give to charity. Reminds me of the stewardship seminar I went to. When the presenter asked how many of the attending pastors tithed, there was a sudden interest in the doughnut table in …
A writer named Shelley Jackson published a short story, but it’s not one you’ll find in a magazine or literary collection. To read it, you’ll have to track down 2,095 people around the world and get them all together. See, Jackson’s story is entitled “Skin” and it’s written – tattooed, actually – on the arms …
The Word Became Flesh: A Theology of the Body Continue Reading »
What a great opportunity we have to be here together with people from so many different faith traditions. That we can all gather here and celebrate together, despite some of the differences in our theology, is a model for the rest of the world, I think, and something to be thankful for in and of …
Thanksliving: A Meditation for an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Continue Reading »
Many of you know how much I like to read. I recently got myself an Amazon Kindle—one of those electronic book readers—that enables you to download a book in 60 seconds. This is kind of like crack for clergy. I figured out that I read seven books last month, some of which were for my …
Born to Run: The Life of the Apostle Paul Continue Reading »
Bishops say UMC needs restructuringRobin Russell, Nov 17, 2009 UMNS FILE PHOTO BY MIKE DUBOSEUnited Methodist bishops say the church needs to lower the average age of its members if it is to survive.By Robin Russell Managing Editor LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C.—If the United Methodist Church is to survive the 21st century, it will need an …
Bishops say UMC needs restructuring (Hallelujah!) Continue Reading »
The Book of Acts is the story of the early church and is one of my favorite biblical books. But it’s also one of the most confusing. This week as we enter into it, there comes the inevitable question about the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. The risen, embodied …
NOTE: This is the text of today's sermon as it was written, not as it actually came out "live." To listen to the live version, check out the podcast on our web site. I'll have it posted there by late tomorrow morning. The text for the morning was John 6:1-12. For my text-based readers, however, …
Last night was Halloween, which is a “holiday” that just about everybody celebrates in one form or another. But while you may come here this morning still a little loopy from sampling the kids’ candy stash, I want to introduce you to another really “holy day”—All Saints Day. Now. Traditionally, All Saints Day …
Grave Matters – A Sermon for All Saints Day Continue Reading »