I recently woke up on on a Sunday morning not feeling ready to be “church-y.” I’m sure you know what I mean. It’s that moment when you wanted a few more minutes to sleep, a few extra moments with that hot coffee, or just wanted to stay home in pajamas. It happens to pastors too. Whether they admit it or not, there are some Sunday mornings that are harder than others to get up and get going. This happened to me one Sunday morning. I just didn’t have the worshipful attitude expected of anyone let alone clergy having to lead … Continue reading Transformed by Eucharist

  Old Saint Nick! “God loves a cheerful giver,” 2 Corinthians 9: 7 Santa Claus is real! It’s true. Many believe that the modern day Santa Claus has his origins in Saint Nicholas who was the Bishop of Myra (modern day Turkey) in the 4th Century.  Nicholas was a real person whose parents died when he was young. He gave his entire inheritance to those in need. That began a spirit of generosity that defined his life. Even as he became the Bishop of Myra, he continued his legacy of giving and kindness. There’s a legend that Nicholas knew of … Continue reading Old Saint Nick!

My wife dragged me to an event held at Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN recently. It was called “The Liturgists Gathering,” which is a podcast that was created by musician Michael Gungor, Science Mike, Hillary McBride, and William Matthews. They each bring their own experiences, understandings, and openness to the podcast and the gatherings. The gathering in Nashville represented one of the most unique settings I have been in where a diverse group of people gathered to talk about spirituality. Science Mike surveyed the audience during the first session by asking everyone to raise their hand based on a … Continue reading The Liturgists Gathering: My Confession

While travelling south recently, we decided to make a brief stop at the Abbey of Gethsemani. I say we, but I really mean me. My wife doesn’t mind stops like this, but she often puts up with my love affair with monasticism. It had been a few years since my last visit to the Abbey. It’s such a peaceful place, some might say, in the spirit of Celtic spirituality, that it is a thin place. It’s one of my favorite places on earth. When we parked near the gate and opened the door, I quickly heard silence. It was so … Continue reading Silence is Loud

SCRIPTURE READING Romans 15: 5-13 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it … Continue reading Sermon, “Making Room for Hope”

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 7:1-5 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank … Continue reading Sermon: “Things That Really Aren’t in the Bible: Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin”