What Matters Most

July 4, 2010; Proper 9; Galatians 6:1-16: Sooner or later everyone reaches the basic truth of life: Either our lives count for something important and eternal, or they are temporal and wasted. This is a strong statement that should make us pay close attention.

Church Basics

Feb. 7, 2010 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 1 Cor. 15:1-11 A coach called his team into the locker room after yet another loss. The team seemed to have forgotten the basics, much less the advanced techniques of the game. The coach looked over his team, then reached over and picked up the ball. Pointing at it he said, "Gentlemen, this is a football."

A More Excellent Way

Jan. 31, 2010 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 1 Cor. 13:1-13 At last! Here are life perspectives that make sense. Today's passage of Scripture shows us a way to live that will grant peace with other people and with God. This is a more excellent way.

Animating the Body of Christ

Jan. 24, 2010 Third Sunday after Epiphany 1 Cor. 12:12-31a Life in the body of Christ-the church-is characterized by unity and energy. At least it should be. Paul looked at the church and knew full well that potential and reality often do not match. In the first 11 chapters of 1 Corinthians, he dealt with a host of problems in the church-divisions into various parties, sexual immorality by leaders, people suing each other in court, idol sacrifice, members getting drunk before worship and others. If anyone ever had the right to be pessimistic about the church, it would have been Paul!

The Gospel Menagerie

September 20, 2009 ?Proper 19 James 3:13-4:3,7-8a Today's text gives us a picture of life as it could be lived and as it often is. We can think of these approaches as the gospel menagerie-a series of animal images.

Following Jesus Today

September 13, 2009 Proper 18 Mark 8:27-38 Every follower of Christ wants to sing and mean the gospel song, "Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart." We are hungry for meaning, and nothing in life can be more meaningful than being on a pilgrimage with Him.

The Value of a Good Name

September 6, 2009 ?Proper 17 Proverbs 22:1-2,8-9,22-23 Here is an idea so quaint and antiquated that it actually makes sense: Your name is valuable. Don't run out and try to sell it on eBay. It may not have that sort of worth. Instead, the value of your name is in direct proportion to your character.

Waiting for the Long Haul

07.20.08 Proper 11 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Jesus often taught people by the ancient method of telling stories that made points. He would tell these parables, rich with multiple layers of meaning, and allow the people who heard them to "get it" - to understand the point.

Heavenly Harvest: Joining Jesus’ Family

07.13.08 Proper 10 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Jesus once gave His followers a lesson in determining who belonged to His family. He was told that His mother and brothers were outside of a house wanting to speak to Him. Jesus then gestured to the disciples and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers for whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (Matt. 12:46-50).

Who Is Jesus?

07.06.08 Proper 9 Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Few questions in life face us with such stark choices and answers as this one: "Who is Jesus?"