How to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (if you’re white)

I want to write about the MLK holiday. There are several thoughts angling into my brain on this one. It’s probably best if I just lay them all out there at once. I deeply admire Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all that he stood for. I know that he was a freedom fighter, a philosopher, a preacher, a non-violent resister of oppression. I’ve studied … Continue reading How to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (if you’re white)

cegr76January 17, 2016Leave a comment

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This Week in Ministry

This past week, as a pastor, I… ate pancakes with 8 middle school boys I didn’t really know. joined 7 seniors and a young adult in contemplating what it means to be a good church member. consulted with 5 church members about recent vision work. ate chili. perused and studied (indulged) pop culture offerings from 1988. tried to take good care of the church property. … Continue reading This Week in Ministry

cegr76January 15, 2016January 15, 2016Leave a comment

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This Week in Ministry

This past week, as a pastor, I… thought a lot about Baptism. worried a lot about Christmas. thought and prepared a lot about Lent. ate an elementary school “lunch”. read a book and sat through a 5.5 hour lecture on church administration…and mostly liked it. scheduled a wedding for August. It’s been a good week. Continue reading This Week in Ministry

cegr76January 10, 2016January 10, 2016Leave a comment

Bible Leads, Uncategorized

Bible Leads: Luke 3:15-22

TEXT Luke 3:15-22 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy … Continue reading Bible Leads: Luke 3:15-22

cegr76January 3, 2016January 3, 2016Leave a comment

Bible Leads, Uncategorized

Bible Leads: Matthew 2:1-12

TEXT Matthew 2:1-12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with … Continue reading Bible Leads: Matthew 2:1-12

cegr76December 27, 2015December 27, 2015Leave a comment

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This Week in Ministry

This week, as a pastor, I… Considered what teenage boys need to know about God, Taught about how to pray for San Bernadino, Completed my last task (a thank you letter) for a now defunct congregation, Met a homeless mom with 5 kids, a minivan and a surprisingly easy smile, Wondered how to teach generosity in the year to come, Encountered a man who had … Continue reading This Week in Ministry

cegr76December 12, 2015December 17, 2015Leave a comment

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This Week in Ministry

This week in ministry, I… passed out chocolate kisses, drank beer and ate pizza, scrubbed urinals at the shelter, hung up garland poorly, wrote to the Bishop, read a book on my phone, thought a lot about John the Baptist, wondered what to say or do about terrorism and gun violence, recruited parishioners for a new ministry. Things are getting busier, but most of what there is to … Continue reading This Week in Ministry

cegr76December 5, 2015December 17, 2015Leave a comment

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A Spirituality of Peace in an Age of Violence

The flowers guy was right. And we should start planting flowers every time an act of violence ruins our day. The idea is to resist ugliness by adding beauty. Honestly, I want as much gun control legislation as you can get. But the counter-arguments are probably somewhat true: bad guys don’t care about laws, etc., etc. Furthermore, I have limited confidence in legislation. I am … Continue reading A Spirituality of Peace in an Age of Violence

cegr76December 3, 2015Leave a comment

Bible Leads, Uncategorized

Bible Leads: Luke 3:1-18

TEXT Luke 3:1-18 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He … Continue reading Bible Leads: Luke 3:1-18

cegr76December 1, 2015December 1, 2015Leave a comment

Bible Leads, Blog, Uncategorized

Bible Leads: Luke 1:8-20

TEXT Luke 1:8-20 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of … Continue reading Bible Leads: Luke 1:8-20

cegr76November 23, 2015November 23, 2015Leave a comment