How much should you give to the church? Why give anything at all? You can give 10% of your income and still act like the world/church/God owes you something. Is that pleasing to God? What if you gave 5% with great appreciation and joy? Would God not accept that? It’s not as if God needs money anyway. GIVE FOR PASTORAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT As a … Continue reading Tithing, Generosity and the Church
Christianity is an untidy faith. It’s full of grace and therefore full of the breaking of rules and the loving of people despite their breaking of rules. Our guy–God in the flesh, the Savior of all creation–gets his ass whipped, his hands and feet nailed to a freaking tree trunk and his gut sliced open like a Christmas turkey*. His cousin had his head cut off*. … Continue reading Messy Religion
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
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
TEXT John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life,* and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in … Continue reading Bible Leads: John 1:1-14
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
TEXT Luke 1:39-55 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the … Continue reading Bible Leads: Luke 1:39-55
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
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
To claim ownership of trees, valleys and hills while they live without you. Precious, holy gift Planted deep, watered by time Grows in manure. Continue reading Tuesday Haikus: Trees
