My Latest Posts
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- October 11:WORDS MATTER James 1:19-20 James 3:1-12 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Whether we admit it or not what comes out of our mouths reflects what is in our heart. In the words of Jesus,… Read more: October 11:
- October 4:Father of Lights James 1:12-18 James 3:13-4:10 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Wisdom. Greek, sophia, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters. Wisdom may be defined as the… Read more: October 4:
- September 27:Enduring Testing James 1:2-4, 12 James 5:7-11 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It is likely that the temptation to which James is referring comes from the outside community, not the church. Trial may also… Read more: September 27:
- September 13:Reversal of the Status Quo James: 1:9-11 James 2:1-6; 4:13-5:6 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Success. What does that word mean to you? Money? Power? Influence? James has some harsh words for those who… Read more: September 13:
- September 6:The Prayer of Faith James 1:5-8 James 5:13-18 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I once led a small group study on prayer. We used Richard Foster’s powerful book, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home.… Read more: September 6:
- HEARERS OR DOERSPastoral Reflections from the Epistle of James Introduction and Schedule There are two prominent persons in the New Testament, named James. James, the son of Zebedee (Mark 5:37; 9:2;… Read more: HEARERS OR DOERS
- POWER THEOLOGYThere is an alarming trend in what purports to be Christian theology that needs to be exposed and called out for the false teaching that it is. This unfortunate… Read more: POWER THEOLOGY
- This thing called FreedomToday we celebrate the independence of our country. On this occasion we remember the persons who declared our freedom from tyranny and established the framework of our republic. It is… Read more: This thing called Freedom
- WHY?My colleague commented that he failed at retirement. I suppose the same thing could be said about me. I retired in 2022 but recently returned to pastoral ministry. When… Read more: WHY?
- April 5, 2026RESURRECTION OF THE LORD Suggested Readings: Acts 10:34-43 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-18 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The stone is rolled away by the hand of God. The still small voice whispers, “Son, it’s… Read more: April 5, 2026
- April 5, 2026RESURRECTION OF THE LORD Suggested Readings: Acts 10:34-43 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-18 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The stone is rolled away by the hand of God. The still small voice whispers, “Son, it’s… Read more: April 5, 2026
- April 4, 2026HOLY SATURDAY Suggested Readings: Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24 Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16 1 Peter 4:1-8 John 19:38-42 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ On Holy Saturday I would like to call your attention to the reading from… Read more: April 4, 2026
- April 3, 2026GOOD FRIDAY Suggested Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Psalm 22 Hebrews 10:16-25 John 18:1-19:42 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The 2004 movie, The Passion of the Christ, focused almost exclusively on the brutality of Jesus’ crucifixion.… Read more: April 3, 2026
- April 2, 2026MAUNDY THURSDAY Suggested Readings: Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus’ words “I give you… Read more: April 2, 2026
- April 1, 2026Wednesday of HOLY WEEK Suggested Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 70 Hebrews 12:1-3 John 13:21-32 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In yesterday’s reading from the Gospel of John we read the story of Philip leading… Read more: April 1, 2026
- March 31, 2026Tuesday of Holy Week Suggested Readings: Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 71:1-14 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 John 12:20-36 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To witness is an important vocation in John because through witness, the world comes… Read more: March 31, 2026
- March 30, 2026Monday in HOLY WEEK Suggested Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 36:5-11 Hebrews 9:11-15 John 12:1-11 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Jesus is anointed by a woman in all four Gospels. In Mark, Matthew, and John,… Read more: March 30, 2026
- March 29, 2026PALM SUNDAY Suggested Readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 21:1-11 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Entry processions were important occasions. Generals, emperors, and kings made political statements by riding into a town as… Read more: March 29, 2026
- March 22, 2026Fifth Sunday in LENT Suggested Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To put it simply, it is the Spirit of God that gives life. Just as… Read more: March 22, 2026
- March 15, 2026Fourth Sunday in LENT Suggested Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ There is a familiar pattern in the stories from John’s gospel. In the narratives… Read more: March 15, 2026
- March 8, 2026Third Sunday in LENT Suggested Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 Romans 5:1-11 John 4:5-42 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A great deal of speculation surrounds the Samaritan woman whom Jesus encountered at Jacob’s well.… Read more: March 8, 2026
- March 1, 2026Second Sunday in LENT Suggested Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-17 Matthew 17:1-9 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the Word who brings the… Read more: March 1, 2026
- RERUN(This post was first published on September 21, 2025. I think it bears repeating.) FIRST THINGS FIRST “I believe in God. I just don’t want anything to do with organized… Read more: RERUN
- February 22, 2026First Sunday in LENT Suggested Readings: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Psalm 32 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ These readings tell of temptation, sin, and forgiveness. The ancient story of eating forbidden… Read more: February 22, 2026
- MY DIRTY THUMBAsh Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian liturgical year was February 18. I came home from church that evening and tried to wash the smear of… Read more: MY DIRTY THUMB
- ASH WEDNESDAY18 February 2026 Suggested Readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 51:1-17 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the forty days of Lent.… Read more: ASH WEDNESDAY
- “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less… Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in humankind; and therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee”. John DonneThe language may be archaic, but the message is clear. Human beings were created to be in community. The death of any person diminishes all of us because we are… Read more: “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less… Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in humankind; and therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee”. John Donne
- CHRISTMAS DAYDecember 25, 2025 Suggested Readings Isaiah 62:6-12 Psalm 97 Titus 3:4-7 John 1:1-18 John 1:14 (the Message) The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.… Read more: CHRISTMAS DAY
- CHRISTMAS EVEDecember 24, 2025 Suggested Readings Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Like 2:1-14 The angelic announcement is one of “good news!” It is certainly a pertinent and necessary… Read more: CHRISTMAS EVE
- FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTDecember 21, 2025 Suggested Readings:Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Isaiah writes of a time when a young woman will bear a child whose name… Read more: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
- NO OTHER GODSYou know the story. Joseph is engaged to be married to Mary. Engagement has the same legal status as marriage. When Mary informs Joseph that she is pregnant he wants… Read more: NO OTHER GODS
- THE DIVINE EXPRESSIONAnd the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John… Read more: THE DIVINE EXPRESSION
- THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENTDecember 14, 2025 Suggested Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 Luke 1:46b-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return,And come with singing unto Zion;And… Read more: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
- WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMASOkay, it’s corny and schmaltzy, but once a year I like to watch Miracle on 34th Street (1994). It makes me smile and for just a few minutes push… Read more: WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
- SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENTDecember 7, 2025 Suggested Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist uses an interesting phrase in his confrontation with the Pharisees and… Read more: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
- FIRST SNDAY OF ADVENTNovember 30, 2025 Suggested Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival”. Advent is a season observed in… Read more: FIRST SNDAY OF ADVENT
- THANKSGIVING DAYSuggested readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 100 Philippians 4:4-9 John 6:25-35 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Philippians 4:4 (The MSG italics added)… Read more: THANKSGIVING DAY
- -MY DASH-At some point in your life you may have run across the poem, “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. The poem, often used at funerals and memorial services, tells of… Read more: -MY DASH-
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