When you imagine Jesus, what does Jesus look like, what does he act like? (Let Congregation answer) I often imagine this well spoken man, a brave man, not the poorest of the poor but not wealthy. I tend to imagine Jesus very much being like me. I imagine him as the ultimate comforter and these … [Read more…]
When we think of change: whether it is in the world, our careers, or our personal lives, what comes to your minds? Change can be exciting but it can also be a time full of anxiety and dread for many. Change can be frightening because we can’t always predict what will come next or how … [Read more…]
Our experiences of the transformative power of the Holy are often few and far between. In the Bible, many of those transformative experiences happen at special places and often on mountain tops as with the transfiguration, Moses’ encounter with God that gave the law, and Noah’s landing with the arc on Mount Ararat, to name … [Read more…]
Last week we talked about all that gets in the way of hearing and experiencing God’s call in our lives. This week we are going to talk about what we do when we have heard that call. Today we heard how Jonah got up right away and went to Nineveh. What we didn’t hear is … [Read more…]
If you had to define a Christian to someone, what words would you use? (Invite congregation to help) When Bill and I first started dating, my father-in-law had a very specific idea of what a Christian was from his experiences as a Jewish man. And I must say his views were not flattering. Yet they … [Read more…]
I always find stories of radical compassion, love, care and giving to be so inspirational. They are a reminder to me that God calls us to more in life then to be worrying about ourselves. They remind me that God’s care is so great for me and all of humanity and life that he watches … [Read more…]
Seasons of change are perhaps some of the hardest times in our lives. Change can be good but change can also bring about hardships and sadness as well. Change can build us up and it can tear us down. I think what is so hard about change is the unpredictability of it. Now I don’t … [Read more…]
So I read the passages from the lectionary this week and cringed. If there are going to be any passages that I find cringe worthy and just in general try to avoid it would be the ones you heard this morning. I have a list of passages that I struggle with and avoid preaching on … [Read more…]
I can hardly believe that it has been 15 years since the 9/11 attack. This week as I prepared for the Connecticut 9/11 Memorial Service, I was called to once again reflect upon that day and the changes that took place, the fear that was felt, the pain that was caused, and the courage that … [Read more…]
Last week we talked about having the courage to live into the word of God, the courage to do God’s work in our world. This week we continue to consider what God asks of all of us as people of faith. Now, I love watching the Olympics because it gives all people in our country … [Read more…]
