A five-year-old daughter looked at a calendar and asked, “How many be-good days ’til Christmas?” She made promises undoubtedly to be good in those days leading to Christmas. In these three Sundays leading to Christmas, I’ll share messages about three of the characters in the birth story of Jesus. God made promises to them. They…
An Incident of Joy
As the Grinch said, “Somehow or other, it came just the same.” Thursday, December 19, 2019 in the Book of Common Prayer lectionary was the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle. The Psalm for the day was Psalm 126. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping,…
Every. Single. Time.
Matthew 25: 31-46 Due to the topic of the message this morning, I feel compelled to start this message off with something lighthearted. A house painter was cheap and sought to cut costs wherever possible. His primary device of cutting costs was to thin the paint with turpentine. He was hired to paint the steeple…
With the Master In Mind
Matthew 25: 14-30 A man entrusted his property, his talents, to his slaves before he left on a journey. A talent was worth more than 15 years’ wages of a laborer. Five talents was 75 years of wages. Two talents was 30 years of wages. One talent was 15 years of wages. The master didn’t…
Lamp and Oil
Matthew 25: 1-13 If we knew the day and the hour, things would be different. A man had a checkup and then went in to see his doctor to get the results. The doctor said he had bad news and worse news for him. Which did he want to hear first? The man said he…
There’s An Election This Week
There is an election this week, by the way. A surgeon, an engineer and a politician were debating which of their professions was the oldest. “Eve was made from Adam’s rib,” said the surgeon, “and that, of course, was a surgical procedure.” “Yes,” countered the engineer. “but before that, order was created out of chaos–and…
More Joy In Heaven
Once upon a time there was a man who went hunting for bears. As he trudged through the forest, he came upon a large and steep hill. There was no going around it so he began to climb. As he pulled himself up over the last outcropping of rocks, a huge bear met him nose…
It’s Time for a Podcast . . . I think.
After receiving a few subtle nudges from a friend, a family member and myself, I’ve crossed the Rubicon and joined the growing community of podcasters. Do we all have something to say or share that’s worthwhile enough to post on social platforms? Its pretty likely the exception that shares anything edifying, informative or truly entertaining,…
Coins And Kingdoms
Matthew 22: 15-22 Caesar had his coins, and God has God’s coins, I suppose. A man asked God how long a million years was to God. God replied, “It’s just like a single second of your time.” So the man asked, “And what about a million dollars?” The Lord replied, “To me, it’s just like…
Manifestations of God In You, Part 3
This is our last message on the gifts of the Holy Spirit in connection with what our GROW class, our new members /refreshing class will offer next Sunday morning, a spiritual gifts inventory each attendee will be offered to take. What I’ve sought to do these Sundays is enlighten all of us in some of…
Psalm 102 in The Message 