Category Archives: Reflections

Built on a Rock

Built on a rock, the church shall stand, even when steeples are falling; crumbled have spires in every land, bells still are chiming and calling— calling the young and old to rest, calling the souls of those distressed, longing for life everlasting. There are very few hymns that I dislike and I love most ofContinueContinue reading “Built on a Rock”

Thoughts on transitions: vis-à-vis belated reflections on the New England Synod Assembly

Tammee told me that I needed to write an article for the newsletter about the synod assembly. It’s nice not to have to think about what to write sometimes … but now I have to figure out how to write it. The Naugatuck Lutherans sent five voting members—Nancy and Don G., Brett B., Jay M.ContinueContinue reading “Thoughts on transitions: vis-à-vis belated reflections on the New England Synod Assembly”

Waiting for Resurrection

I think my favorite day of Holy Week is Saturday. I love Maundy Thursday and the footwashing and communion shared with a smaller number of people in the dim lighting of the evening, remembering the last night that all the disciples were together with Jesus at the meal. I am always moved, transformed, convicted byContinueContinue reading “Waiting for Resurrection”

Resurrection

The texts for Sunday, April 8,2012 (Easter): Isaiah 25:6–9; Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; Acts 10:34–43; Mark 16:1–8 “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.” – Psalm 118:17 Every year around Easter, there are all sorts of interesting arguments put forward about whether Jesus was really raised from the dead andContinueContinue reading “Resurrection”

Nicene Creed: Mind Words

Texts: 1 Kings 3:3-15, Mark 12:29-30, The Nicene Creed Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all yourContinueContinue reading “Nicene Creed: Mind Words”

Nicene Creed: Soul Words

Texts: Psalm 42, Mark 12:29-30, The Nicene Creed Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. – Psalm 42:2a ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with allContinueContinue reading “Nicene Creed: Soul Words”

Nicene Creed: Heart Words

A sermon/reflection from Wednesday, March 7th, 2012.  Texts: John 12:37-43, Mark 12:28-34, The Nicene Creed Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Last Wednesday (if we hadn’t been snow/sleeted/iced out), we would have heard a different text, from Mark actually, that was to frame all of ourContinueContinue reading “Nicene Creed: Heart Words”

Dust

The texts for Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012: Joel 2:1–2, 12–17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 In a very little bit, I will dip my thumb in a little oil and a little ash and trace the sign of the cross on the foreheads of those of you who’d like to come forward. AsContinueContinue reading “Dust”

Resisting Meaning Making

Text: Job 30:16-31 I find Job a very important book in scripture. It’s actually probably the oldest of the books in scripture, and it is a script for a drama—yes, it’s a play. The point of Job is to ask the question “Why suffering?” It contradicts everything we tend to want to believe about healthContinueContinue reading “Resisting Meaning Making”

Reflections of the Manger

The texts for Christmas Day, 2011: Isaiah 52:7–10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1–12, and John 1:1–14 Christmas morning—thanks to inspiration from Nadia Bolz-Weber, the House For All Sinners and Saints, and Clayfire, as well as the texts themselves: “The Word became flesh…”—I didn’t preach a traditional sermon.  Instead, I introduced the Gospel by restating exactly thatContinueContinue reading “Reflections of the Manger”

Hoping in consistency and inconsistency

Text: Malachi 3:16-4:6 “Who can endure the day of [the Lord’s] coming, and who can stand when he appears?” Malachi preaches. The day of the Lord for Malachi is about judgement about how all of the people have failed to do justice to do what is right to love God and love neighbor. The peopleContinueContinue reading “Hoping in consistency and inconsistency”

Hope in the hopeless

Text: Micah 5:1-5a Hope.  I think it’s human nature to hope. In fact, I was just looking around online and came across a quote in Latin from Cicero: “Dum spiro, spero.” While I breathe, I hope. We don’t live without hope … at least not for long. But, it is easier to hope at sometimes than at other times. It is easier toContinueContinue reading “Hope in the hopeless”