Apparently, there was a time that if you wanted to find work – you went to the local Market place and waited there. The earlier you got there – the better. Later it was to the Guilds that you would go. Or, Labor Halls … or union halls… I remember people looking up jobs in […]

This parable got me to thinking. That’s not necessarily a good thing! I started thinking about the issue of “pay inequity.” You know, women being paid less than men for the same jobs… So, I did a Google. What I found first, was a series of questions- that sounded more like justification to me… Are […]

We expect to be paid for our work. A fair paycheck – for each day worked. My first job was as a paper-boy. I lived off of my tips for good service…for going the extra mile. Papers in the mailboxes or gently placed between the doors, not thrown onto the lawn or somewhere on the […]

“Forgive me,”- that is the best way I can think of – for any pastor – anywhere – to start a sermon on “forgiveness.” “Forgive me!” Perhaps it is not even “a bad way” to start out “every sermon or meditation.” Kinga and I were having a discussion this past week around “the proverbial water […]

I admit it – I like stories with happy endings. We want the “good guy” to be successful and happy. We want the “bad guy” to get his “just desserts!” We want there to be “fairness and equity” in this world. So, as I approach this gospel story told by Jesus…I have to admit that […]

So who is living in your head or in your heart – rent free? Or, to put it another way, who have you decided “NOT to forgive?” Who are you “still” holding a grudge or grudges against? You know grudges can run very deep, but they also have a way of resurfacing every now and […]

Let’s talk church for a few minutes… The early church begged, borrowed and stole things from many different cultures. For example much of what we do today in liturgy – comes from our Hebrew sisters and brothers. We borrowed from their liturgy, prayers, readings, songs and a liturgical format. Two lessons – on a weekly […]

I want you to keep in mind that the definition of the church – is the “ecclesia” – the “people of God” – the church is not a building, it is not a place, it is not wood, stone, plywood or sheet rock, it is the people. The church is – wherever the people of […]

For all the haters out there – let me go on record as saying the church is not perfect. The church has never been perfect – and the church will never be perfect here on earth. (That declaration is in no way an excuse for our behavior.) Yep call us hypocrites, it’s ok, we can […]