In listening to Kim Davis defend her stance against same-sex marriages, I hear familiar arguments and punch lines. Ms. Davis vaguely cites scripture and claims God as her authority. She uses fundamentalist lingo, like telling a gay couple they would be answering to God at judgement. How did she learn to speak and reason like that? She has her own story of waywardness and salvation. But … Continue reading Kim Davis and the Case for Clergy Education
TEXT Luke 2:1-20 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was … Continue reading Bible Leads: Luke 2:1-20
When it comes to Kim Davis, the lady refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Kentucky, there is part of the story that remains unsaid. Most of the complaints against her are that she is a hypocrite: refusing marriage licenses while having been divorced three times. The most legally compelling argument says she is violating court orders. That would bring us to religious freedom … Continue reading Kim Davis: Decent Freedom Fighter, Not-so-Decent Christian
TEXT Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the … Continue reading Bible Leads: Ephesians 6:10-20
TEXT Psalm 111 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honour and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is … Continue reading Bible Leads: Psalm 111
TEXT John 6:24-35 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because … Continue reading Bible Leads: John 6:24-35
TEXT Ephesians 2:11-22 So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. … Continue reading Bible Leads: Ephesians 2:11-22
I have an ever evolving sermon creation method. I am not a gifted speaker. But I have become a bit of a student of the artform. I ultimately see the sermon as an oral artform and rarely write a manuscript. Instead I have this method of gathering data and creating a ‘pathway’ for the message. I have created an Evernote Data Sheet for this method, which you … Continue reading My Sermon Writing Method
TEXT Psalm 24 Of David. A Psalm. The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who … Continue reading Bible Leads: Psalm 24
Mary Poppins: A Starting Place I was watching Mary Poppins with my children the other day. There is a scene where Mary Poppins is talking about Mr. Banks’ general inattentiveness to his surroundings. In teaching Jane and Michael about the birdwoman on the steps of St. Paul’s Mary Poppins remarks that “sometimes a person we love, through no fault of their own, can’t see past … Continue reading The Confederate Flag, Mary Poppins, Family Systems Theory, American Exceptionalism and Some Cute German Girls I Met in England
