Psalm 145 and the struggle for faith

Psalm 145 is nothing but praise for God. It confesses the faith many of us had as children. As adults, praising God can be tougher as we encounter the challenges of life. This week we also hear Jesus standing before Pilate. In Pilate's words we find some responses to the struggles of life. But we find the truth in Jesus' words.

Daniel and the Lion's Den

People often think the book of Daniel is a book about doomsday dreams. The book is much more about what it looks like for us to be faithful in an unfaithful world. If you have ever had to make a decision that your group, your company, your school, your town, even your church or nation disapproved of because you believed it was the right thing to do, then the book of Daniel is for you.

Generosity

We hear two stories of generosity today. Both involve a widow giving. So, why be generous? How can we be generous? What does Jesus mean for our generosity? Based on Elijah and the widow (1 Kings 17:8-16) and Jesus and the widow's two cents (Mark 12:38-44)

DTR and Baptism

The "DTR." That's right, the DTR, the "Defining the Relationship" conversation. Boy meets girl...they begin as friends, feelings develop..and finally the ambiguity becomes too much and the DTR must happen. And in the DTR, objections are raised..."I like you, but just as a friend." Sometimes, in special DTR's, those objections are met.

Strange as it seems, the DTR can serve as a helpful metaphor for Baptism. Jesus declares the relationship: I am savior, you are my saint. Let the objections begin...

The Reformation and the Spiritual Journey

October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 thesis to the castle church door in Wittenberg Germany. Thus began the Protestant Reformation, which changed the church and the world. It also changed the way we look at the Spiritual Journey with Jesus, changing the Who, the When and the Where. Based on insights of Luther and Mark 10:46-52.

Global Mission

On the journey with Jesus, we are never alone. We walk with Christians all around the world on God's Global Mission. So what is global mission? How are we involved? What are the blessings and what are the challenges? Loosely based on Mark 14:1-9

The little things

Business books today are filled with commentary about the importance little things. As we continue along with the Spiritual Journey with Jesus, we learn what little things matter to Jesus: little acts of kindness to others; little children to be welcomed and taught and finally little sins that greive Jesus.

In the midst of all this talk about the little things, we hear the big message about Jesus though! Based on Mark 9:32-50.

On the Journey with Jesus, Part I

We often begin our Spiritual journey with the question: "Who am I?" Jesus begins his disciple's journey with a different question: "Who is Jesus?" Once we have this question answered, then our spiritual journey begins...but still, where are we going on this journey? Tune in to find out...Based on the later part of Mark 8 and the beginning of Mark 9.

Mirrors and Basins

James warns that those who hear but do not do the Word are like people looking in the mirror (James 1:17-27). We live in a mirror culture -- how many mirrors are in your own house?! All too often in our culture we spend too much time looking at ourselves in the mirror...often instead of looking to our neighbor. Jesus though offers us another tool to think about our discipleship -- the basin (John 13).

Tackling tough issues

In our nation, health care is the rage; in the church it is homosexuality. Our world has complicated issues. Beyond the cable-TV style of two opposing people yelling at each other, how can we as Christians engage the world on these issues? What is God's wisdom for us -- an answer, it seems, lies in the armor of God..Sermon text: 1 Kings 3, which tells of Solomon's wisdom and the infamous story of the baby and the two fighting mothers; also reflections on Ephesais 6:10-20 and the armor of God.

What I Learned

Celebrating my first year in ministry, I give thanks to God for this church. In the past two years I learned two things more clearly than ever before: The power of Sin but moreover, the power of God, especially as it comes to us through the communion of Saints, in my case, this congregation.

Compassion Fatigue

The disciples are tired -- tired of working, tired of other people's problems. When they see a huge crowd, they want Jesus to send everyone away. But instead Jesus asks them "What do you have," and then multiples what they do have to feed the 5,000. God multiplies what we have to help the world, even amid our compassion fatigue. Based on Mark 6 and the feeding of the 5,000.

Don't stop believing

We conclude a three week look at the power of Jesus and the power of faith. Today, though, we look at the difficulties in having and sustaining faith. In the words of Jesus (and the rock group Journey): "Don't stop believin'!" The story is from Mark 5.

Sufficient Grace

Saint Paul, as mighty in faith as he was, is struggling in today's passage (2 Corinthians 12:2-10). Many are criticizing his authenticity as an apostle. He himself wonders why he cannot heal himself from the thorn in his side. Instead of a "healing" he receives the powerful words from God: "My grace is sufficient for you; in weakness my power is revealed." This is not just true for Saint Paul, but also for us.

The power of Faith

The Gospel of Mark tells of Jesus' power; but it also speaks about how this divine power is available to us through faith. The ill woman of Mark 5 and her interaction with Jesus has much to teach us about faith.

Mission Trip

As the youth in our church head out for their mission trip to West Virginia, we hear from the Old Testament, where God picks David, the youngest of eight siblings!

Holy, Holy, Holy

Last week we heard about the Trinity; so this week I want us to focus on "Holy." What does it mean to be Holy? What is God's work of sanctification? All of this is set against two powerful images, the first of Isaiah's vision of God Almighty, the second of a recent and tragic death in our church family.

Confirmation

We say it so often that the unusual nature of the Apostle's Creed does not strike us. But on this confirmation day, we will ask our youth to confess that God created them, that Jesus is their lord and that the church is holy because of the Holy Spirit. That is not something that average person on the street believes!

I chose you

Americans love choices, especially when it comes to religion. Yet Jesus isn't up for our consumer mentality: "You did not chose me, I choose you," He says. Instead of a consumer metaphor of choice and options, he gives us another way to think about our relationship with him: "I am the vine, you are the branches."

Holy Spirit and Mother's Day

The book of Acts often remains a mystery to us because of the active role of the Holy Spirit in the book. How does the Holy Spirit work? How is the Holy Spirit at work in our lives? And what does the Holy Spirit have to do with our mothers? Based on Acts 8:26-40.

You shall be my witnesses

This week Jesus tells us to be his witnesses. What does this mean, especially in an age when many people around the world and in our own neighborhoods do not know about Jesus? We can learn much from the disciples...but most importantly the crucified and risen hands of Jesus that he shows us. Based on Luke 24:36-42.

Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen! The news seems too amazing, too good to be true. The first disciples a hard time believing as well, but Christ sends his angels and finally himself to tell them the good news that He is Risen. Death, his death and our death, has been defeated. This is news that we and the world need to hear again and again and so God appoints us as his messengers to tell this to the world. Based on John 20.

Palm branches and leaders

As we are exclaiming in church, "Hosanna" to Jesus, remember his triumphal entry into Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, people halfway around the world are cheering for President Obama and other world leaders as they meet to discuss the global financial crisis. We and the people 2,000 years ago waved palm branches; today they wave microphones. We are hungry for a leader. What kind of leader does the world need today?

The woman at the well and the Pharisee

This week we see Jesus meeting two very different people...Although the conversations go in different directions, it is clear that Jesus is meeting them where they are. Jesus meets us as well -- in our Baptisms. Based on John 3 and 4.

What is our Purpose?

Do you ever wonder what your purpose in life is? Ephesians tells us that our purpose are the good works that God prepared before hand for us. How do we discover these? We can learn about this from Nicodemus, a prominent teacher of the Jews who comes to Jesus by night. Based on John 3:1-17 and Ephesians 2:1-10

Wrath of God

Today we confront the reality of God's wrath, or God's anger. Where does God's anger come from? What does it look like in our lives? Does it have the final word? Based on John 2:13-22 and portions of the Noah story (Gen 8).

Glory and Discipleship

Today we hear the invitation to something glorious -- following Jesus and doing God's will. So what does glory look like for disciples? Mark 8:31-38 and portions of the Noah story (Genesis 7:1-10).

The hope of repentance

We live in a culture of fear -- fear of terrorism and fear of the economy. Is Lent a season of fear? Finally is there something about repentance that is based on hope? Based on Mark 1:9-15.

Mountain Top

We all have a deep hunger for a mountain top experience, a time when we sense God's presence, God's glory and God's love in our lives. Peter, James and John have this when Jesus takes them up the mountain and is transfigured. Come to the mountain and experience God today!

Church as Leper

Today we hear of Jesus curing a leper (Mark 1:40-45), who then goes on his way proclaiming the Good News. As a church (globally), we find ourselves like the leper, on the outside of society. Rather than be bitter, we can learn from the transformation of the leper about how God can put a new song in our hearts.

Jonah: A Whale of a Tale

As children, we learn of the story of Jonah and him getting swallowed by a whale. In fact, I had my first nightmare about getting swallowed by a whale! Yet, if we look at this story as adults, we realize it is less about a whale and much more about the call and mercy of God. Based on the first three chapters of Jonah.

Challenges of Discipleship

Last week we heard Jesus call us to be his disciples, with each other, for the sake of the world. This week we hear about the challenges of being Jesus' disciples. Finally, we hear how Jesus is the love that enables us to be his disciples. Based on Mark 1:21-28.

An Invitation to Discipleship

Today Jesus invites his first disciples to follow him and become fishers of people. Often society suggests that following Jesus means one of two options: Being spiritual but not religious or being hyper-religious. While both of these options contain goodnesss, Jesus today calls us to a discipleship something more full: Life together for the sake of others. Based on Mark 1:14-20.

Dealing with Disappointment

"Another Year Older" sings John Lennon. As we look back on 2008 and look ahead to 2009, disappointment is likely one of our realities. How do we deal with disappointment? Where does our hope come from? Based on Luke 2:22-40.

Christmas Eve 2008

An Authentic Christmas Story! A real us and a real God. Based on Luke 2:1-20.