Our world can be a very confusing place. Very confusing… “Your life” didn’t come with an “instruction manual”, nobody agrees on “the rules for life” or even…if there ARE… “rules for life.” The reason for “your existence” was “never clearly stated” to you before you were born…you just WERE… It’s as if “a big celestial […]
John’s Gospel is a “tough gospel” to preach on… Holy Trinity is a “tough celebration” in the life of the church to rap your head around…it is after all, “a doctrine” of the church. In John, Jesus is talking about “when the Spirit comes.” It is still “anticipated,” it is “longed for”…but “has not yet […]
“You may ask “me” for “anything” in my name, and I will do it.” It is the “only thing” I heard in worship today! But man did that “one sentence” hang out there…It really resonated with me. I can handle “that…” It was as if, “it just hung there” in the air…It would not “dissipate.” […]
The disciples are in need of a reassuring voice…a reassuring word. Got-chu! Gesundheit! NO, Got-chu! God Bless You! NO, [I mean,] I DIDN’T SNEEZE! What I am saying is “Got You!” As in, “God’s Got you, the Spirit’s got you, Jesus’ has got you!” Got it? Got-chu, God’s got-chu… No problems! No biggie! It’s all […]
You would expect this from Mark, but not from John. There is a feeling of “exasperation” in the air! Things are “getting tight.” The clock is ticking. Louder and louder… The cross is looming… Ever more — closer… The end is in sight. These are — some final words… Some “final teachings…” And the disciples […]
This is my thesis: Jesus is praying “for me!” Who am I … that “my Lord,” should pray for “me?” I am a no one. I am nothing. I am a sinner. I am confused. I am a man with unclean lips. I do wrong. My thoughts are sinful. My “own words” are distasteful…even to […]
Jesus, “you have some more praying to do!” John’s Gospel alone is the gospel that says, “Jesus is praying for us.” How awesome is that! He is not only praying for us, here and now…but he is also praying for… … future generations yet to come. Jesus, “you have some more praying to do!” Jesus […]
Nowadays “keyboards and touch pads” dominate our written form of communication… With so many people composing their “school reports,” “business memos,” “personal emails” and even “shopping lists” on these electronic devices, writing in cursive is a “dying art…” Cursive writing was refined and standardized by a monk, way back in the 700’s… Charlemagne had become […]
I would like to talk with you for “a little bit” about “hatred.” Hatred is a “complicated animal;” it is “the child of dark forces.” When you hate someone, he or she “has power over your life” and “infiltrates much of what you do.” Your hate “slithers into your veins” like a serpent, wrapping itself […]
This is “an amazing text.” It comes to us during the season of Easter with “good reason”…and with “good cause.” It is here – present, to remind us – that we all have a long way to go. None of us – are there yet! We still have some work to do…ahead of us…none of […]