Category: Uncategorized
-
Say Yes to the Mess; Advent 4- 2017
Any time of the year is a hard time to be homeless. Any time of year is hard to be a traveler. But doesn’t it seem that the idea of being homeless or a traveler during Christmas is a little harder to swallow? Shouldn’t everyone be home for Christmas? Shouldn’t…
-
Longest Night- God with us, Emmanuel
Luke 1:26-38 Fear Not. Yeah. Famous last words that God’s messengers always seem to start with just before they announce a huge disruption. With these words it seems the world has just been upended for the listener. And here is young Mary who is troubled by the obvious sales pitch…
-
Finding Joy means Rejoicing- Advent 3 December 2017
We made it to week three! More than half way through our journey of Advent. The readings and season seem full of shadows and reminders of how difficult everything is. From John calling us all vipers to fewer hours of sunlight, the illumination of hope can sometimes seem dim. And…
-
Do not be afraid of the dark-2nd sermon for Hope (Nov 12, 2017)
“Shave your LEGS!” the cry would come over the telephone. My father was a special ops Soldier and we never knew when they were coming home. The only notice we ever got was from a wife who lived near the special airfield that was specifically for our helicopters. She would…
-
People are Strange- first sermon for Hope (Nov 3, 2017)
“People Are Strange” People are strange when you’re a stranger Faces look ugly when you’re alone Women seem wicked when you’re unwanted Streets are uneven when you’re down When you’re strange Faces come out of the rain When you’re strange No one remembers your name When you’re strange When you’re…
-
Restore us O God; Advent 1 December 3, 2017
Restore us O God, let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.’ “In those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.” We hear these words and the first emotion that rises up is fear. We cannot imagine not having light.…
-
How Can I cry out if I can’t Breathe;Advent 2 (December 10, 2017)
A voice will cry in the wilderness, prepare the way. Of Course, Mark is describing John the Baptist. Have you ever wondered though, why he was crying out in the wilderness? Why wasn’t he preaching and teaching in the temple and cities? Wasn’t it counter-productive to do so from…
-
Reconciling the Hero and the Harmer
“Pastor, how are we to respond? Yet another of our heros has fallen to sexual misconduct or abuse!” “We are trying to reconcile the man we knew him to be with his unacceptable behavior we now have become aware of.” (Today Show, November 29, 2017). ******* TRIGGER WARNING********* (Sexual…
-
Why the dirty sole?
I love to be barefoot. If you come to my home, you will find me barefoot. My feet are eternally dirty from walking around without shoes. I feel connected to the earth and just a little more steady in a world that is always putting me off balance. So my…
-
First Sermons and Blogposts
I don’t want to share my first two sermons at Hope. They were horrible. I was still unsettled and unsure, welcomed by my new congregation, but in reality, not knowing them. It is far easier to preach to a people you don’t know and leave. Their regular pastor gets to…
Mistress of Divinity 