Amazed by Grace

November 30, 2008 1st Sunday of Advent (B) 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Decorating the house, writing cards, shopping for gifts, Christmas tree hunting, grocery lists, preparations for guests or preparations for travel I know, a million things need to get done within only a limited number of days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Busyness, lots of busyness, and all these things need our attention in addition to our already busy schedules.

True Enlightenment

November 23, 1008 Christ the King (A) Ephesians 1:15-23 When we hear the word enlightenment it conjures up all kinds of images-everything from a meditating, levitating contemplative to a pointy-eared, short, green sage offering young Skywalker wisdom in a formal, un-contracted and awkward grammar to a period in history characterized by reason as the primary source of authority and an optimistic view of human ability.

Is the Curtain Rising?

November 16, 2008 Proper 28 (A) 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Suppose you attend a play in a great theater. Before the play begins, noise, bustle, confusion and movement can be heard from behind the curtains. In the orchestra pit the sounds of instruments warming up emanate. Ushers seat latecomers; friends greet each other; others find their seats and study the program. Then the lights flicker on and off. The time is at hand. How much longer? No one can say exactly. Before long, the house lights go down, a hush falls, the conductor lifts his baton, the overture begins and the curtains slowly rise.

Hope in the Face of Death

November 9, 2008 Proper 27 (A) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Death is inevitable, a fact of life. The statistics on death are quite impressive: one out of one people dies. War does not increase death; traffic fatalities do not increase death; cancer and heart disease do not increase death; death is unavoidable and total in every generation. But death is not final. It is not the last hurrah. It is not the end.

Living Worthy of God’s Call

November 2, 2008 Proper 26 (A) 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 As believers in Christ we have a responsibility to extend God's reputation in the world. People are watching us. How do we live lives worthy of the calling of God?

Jesus Is Coming

10.26.08 Proper 25 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 The text before us is one of the most difficult in all of Paul's writings. Much has been written about this passage, and there is a range of varying views. I am reminded of a recent conversation with an older member of my congregation. He reminded me of days when pastors and preachers preached on the second coming of Jesus Christ. He also reminded me that it had been a while since he had heard a sermon on the subject.

How a Christian Is Known

10.19.08 Proper 24 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 In 1 and 2 Thessalonians Paul departs from his usual salutation. In all his other writings, he makes some reference to his apostleship. It seems that he felt compelled to defend his role and responsibility as one set apart and sent out by Jesus Christ. In 1 and 2 Thessalonians he simply signs his name, Paul. But there is also another distinctive mark of Pauline writing found in this first letter to Thessalonica. His use of the words "faith" and "hope" and "love" are prominent in this letter. Combinations of these three words are woven into Paul's letters.

The Cure for Conflict

10.12.08 Proper 23 Philippians 4:1-9 Paul's letter to the church at Philippi is filled with thanksgiving, rejoicing and praise. It is a letter from the heart of a loving and caring pastor. We see in this epistle one commendation after another until we come to the first nine verses of chapter 4. Here, as Guy King states it, we find the "fly in the ointment." The text before us reveals a conflict in the church and a loving pastor's admonition to those involved.

I Want to Know

10.05.08 Proper 22 Philippians 3:4-13 It always makes for interesting conversation when you're engaged in dialogue with someone who can "one-up" your story. You know the scenari you share one of your great achievements in life, an outstanding vacation you've taken or even a life-changing moment you've been a part of-only to have the other person tell you a story that expresses how his experience was better than yours.

A Better Way to Live

09.28.08 Proper 21 Philippians 2:1-13 Not too long ago I was engaged in a friendly-but serious-theological discussion with a dear friend. We had both outlined our points and kindly presented our cases from our respective vantage points. After ending in a stalemate, as these things often do, I wanted to ensure that my motives were pure and I had properly communicated my feelings. I proceeded to relay the entire conversation to my wife, presenting all my convincing points.