When I was in seminary I was serving as youth pastor at a church in Ohio that had a tradition of doing a living nativity scene outdoors during the Christmas season. The deal was that the kids would volunteer for half hour shifts sitting out in a makeshift barn we would build out of old …
Christmas Stories: John–The Word Became Flesh Continue Reading »
The way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is a winding and twisty road that takes you outside the bustling city through some well-appointed suburbs. On the way you pass some interesting landmarks. One of the most interesting to me is the Hinnom Valley. Also known as Gehenna. It sits on the southern side of the Old …
Christmas Stories: Luke–Peace Be With You Continue Reading »
a few years back i posted a long series of bad nativity sets. last year i grouped them all into one post, but it was really just a list of links to those older posts — which was unfair to you all. so… this year, i’m grouping all 20 of them into one long post! …
Some interesting developments in the local sports scene this week, what with the firing of Josh McDaniels as the coach of the Denver Broncos. Soon as it was announced yesterday, several national media outlets were reporting that Troy Calhoun, coach of our local Air Force Academy Falcons, was on the short list of candidates to …
Leading for the Long Haul – A Pastoral Lesson Continue Reading »
We continue this week with our look at the unique way that each of the four Gospels present their Christmas stories, and I once again offer you my thesis for this series. When we cut through all the sentimental, Christmas card images of Jesus’ nativity and engage the biblical theology and history that the Gospel …
I've noticed that the annual Christian indignation about people saying "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas" is heating up again. In response, I offer this sermon that I wrote for Homiletics in 2006, which talks about the "War on Christmas" as a battle based on faulty intelligence. Here's hoping it helps us get a better perspective …
Today we begin a new sermon series called “Christmas Stories,” and over the next four Sundays we’re going to be looking at each of the four Gospels and what they say (or don’t say) about the birth of Jesus and what it means for us. One of the convictions I’ve had over the years is …
Well, it’s Thanksgiving week, one of my favorite times of the year. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because, well, it doesn’t really require much more than eating and watching football—two of my favorite activities. We do a lot of things around the table at Thanksgiving, and when I was a kid there were a lot …
With Christmas looming, many of us are already thinking about what we’ll buy for friends and family. And when you don’t know what to get Uncle Frank or the cousin you see every 10 years, one of the best options is the ubiquitous gift card. Drop one of those in a Christmas card, and you’re …
A long time ago there was a farmer who woke up one morning to find that his one and only horse had run away. His neighbors heard about it and came to console him. “How are you going to plow your fields with no horse? How terrible that your horse ran away!” The farmer only …
Cultivating Contentment – Philippians 4:8-13 Continue Reading »
We’re continuing our series “Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” today by examining another parable of Jesus about the use of money and possessions. Last week we dug into the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12. This week, we’re looking at one of the most difficult parables of Jesus- the parable of …
Can money buy happiness? No, and neither can spending money, suggest researchers from Ben-Gurion University in Israel. Their as-yet-unpublished study took a look at consumer shopping habits over the last three decades and compared it to participation in religious activities, and found that, among women, money makes us much less happy than going to church. …
What is the American Dream? In 1931, the phrase was coined by James Truslow Adams in his book, The Epic of America. Here’s how Adams describes it: "The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability …
When Dreams Become Nightmares – Luke 12:13-34 Continue Reading »
Well, we’ve come to the end of this series on “The Method in Methodism,” and I hope that you have found this look at our foundational theology and practice to be helpful. My goal has been to provide a basis for understanding our identity as a church in this community, and to offer a Wesleyan …
Starbucks Corp. is telling its harried baristas to slow down—which may result in longer lines. via online.wsj.com An interesting article and, in many ways, a sign of the times. We're often in such a hurry for something good that the need to wait a few minutes for something better is pushed aside. One of the …
Starbucks Baristas Told to Slow Down – WSJ.com Continue Reading »