Tag: Life

  • Jesus’ Prescription For Healing And Wholeness – A Sermon On Mark 9:38-50

    Jesus’ Prescription For Healing And Wholeness – A Sermon On Mark 9:38-50

    A friend of mine often says, “Sometimes the good news is bad news before it is good news.” That sure fits today’s gospel (Mark 9:38-50). Today’s gospel tells us that the prognosis is good – life, and peace with one another. But before that comes there is the treatment. And that’s the bad news. The… Read more

  • Come And See

    Come And See

    “Come and see” is what Jesus said to the two disciples of John the Baptist who asked him, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” (John 1:35-39) Jesus responds to their question but he does not answer it. Instead of an answer he extends an invitation. Instead of information he offers an experience. Instead of a destination… Read more

  • When The Gospel Gets Flesh And Blood Real – A Sermon On John 6:56-69

    When The Gospel Gets Flesh And Blood Real – A Sermon On John 6:56-69

    “But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about [his teaching], said to them, ‘Does this offend you?’” Let’s start there. Who’s offended by today’s gospel (John 6:56-69)? Raise your hand if you are. Anyone? No one? When was the last time Jesus offended you? When has he said something that caused you to… Read more

  • Is There Life Within You? – A Sermon On John 6:51-58

    Is There Life Within You? – A Sermon On John 6:51-58

    Several years ago my mom and dad went to a reunion of some of their military friends. It was a gathering of the old soldiers and their wives. The men had served together in the same unit. It was a time of catching up, reminiscing, and telling stories. Shortly after arriving my parents noticed that… Read more

  • Where Are You? – A Sermon On Genesis 3:8-15

    Where Are You? – A Sermon On Genesis 3:8-15

    About a week and a half ago I was sitting at the kitchen counter with my wife, Cyndy, supper was cooking, and we were talking. Somewhere in our conversation she asked, “Where are you?” She could see that I was sitting no more than three feet from here. But that’s not what she was asking… Read more

  • Our Advocates – A Pentecost Sermon On John 15:26-27; 16:4-15

    Our Advocates – A Pentecost Sermon On John 15:26-27; 16:4-15

    In today’s gospel Jesus talks about the coming of the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth. What if the Advocate, in whatever ways she or he shows up, comes not to advocate to another on our behalf but to advocate to us on our own behalf?  They are truth tellers for us. They call us more… Read more

  • Here’s My Question – An Easter Sermon On Mark 16:1-8

    Here’s My Question – An Easter Sermon On Mark 16:1-8

    Alleluia. Christ is risen. I wonder what that means for you today and why it matters. I don’t think we can understand what today really means apart from this past week. Without Holy Week we risk coming to this day and asking, “Risen from what?” We risk coming to this day believing it is only… Read more

  • What Troubles Your Soul? – A Sermon On John 12:20-36

    What Troubles Your Soul? – A Sermon On John 12:20-36

    Here’s my question: What troubles your soul today? What is the hour from which you want to be saved?  Now before you answer, let me explain what I am asking about. I’m asking about more than just something that upset you or didn’t go your way. I am asking about more than an inconvenience, interruption,… Read more

  • The Most Important Day Of Your Life – A Sermon On Mark 1:9-15

    The Most Important Day Of Your Life – A Sermon On Mark 1:9-15

    In some ways the past year has felt like a long never ending season of Lent. It has been a time of fasting, self-denial, and giving up; a time when people and things have been lost or taken from us; a time that is continually pointing to our mortality and the fragility of life. What… Read more