Love it! 1 John 4: 7-21 If I were preaching to a different crowd, I might focus on how God’s self-giving love in Christ is how we know what love is. If I were preaching to another crowd, I might direct your attention...
Useless John 10: 11-18 If you’ve been following the news in the past week about “the 13 most useless college majors,” then you are probably thinking that I’m a bit peeved because both English (#7) and Religious Studies (#6) are on the list. ...
Let’s Hear it for Doubt John 20: 19-31 I worry at Easter that some folks – whether they come willingly, out of duty, or dragged by someone else – will feel out of sorts with the day, like they don’t “match” the celebration...
Only the Beginning John 20: 1-18 She quit the house quietly and on her own. She wanted to clear her head, hold her hands to that huge cold stone, and then figure out what to do next. She hadn’t slept much for two nights...
Save Us Mark 11: 1-11 What if Palm Sunday were the end of the gospel story? Cloaks and branches thrown down on the ground in front of the new king, everyone bubbling over with praise and shouts of “hosanna” as Jesus passes by? ...
Welcome to the Wilderness Mark 1: 9-15 It’s been a while now that I’ve made time to do it, but I love to camp and go backpacking. When I finished seminary, I celebrated by going backpacking in the Smoky Mountains for 5 days. ...
Vision Mark 9: 2-9 I keep wondering what a Transfiguration card from Hallmark would be like…You go for a walk with Jesus and–you get a light show! Happy Transfiguration…You think you know someone and then–he’s chatting it up with dead prophets…Whatever you do...
Healing and Hunting Mark 1: 29-39 We are kind of set up for “presto” healings, aren’t we? Jesus walks into the temple and demons start calling his name before he even starts healing and then Jesus says, “Come out of him!” and the...
Authority Mark 1: 21-28 When I lived in Atlanta I went to a massage therapist. The first time I showed up at her home office, I noticed that she had her massage therapist certification framed on the wall – and it was...
My Soul Magnifies the Lord Luke 1: 46b-55 My soul magnifies the Lord (v. 46b). Mary is minding her own business and an angel pops into the room with the craziest announcement. Either of these things alone would have been enough to be...
