10142020 – Matthew 22. 1-14    It is a strange story for a parable, especially coming from the lips of Jesus. It is the story of a disastrous party, hosted by a murderous king who FOAMS  and RAGES against his own people as he burns their village to the ground. The people hearing this parable […]

10102020a – Matthew 22. 1-14 When Jesus tells a story, expect surprises, expect the unexpected, expect things to be different than you might normally expect them to be. Another good story…with some twists…and a few turns… A King is throwing a wedding shindig, a bash, a blow-out-event-a-major-epic-function…for his son. A good ruler, a huge event […]

10102020 – Matthew 22. 1-14   This is an amazing parable.  An amazing story.  You gotta love it.   There are so many nuances, so many twists, and turns, so many different ways that you COULD go with it.   So, TODAY, I see it THIS WAY…   By Wednesday, I will surely see it […]

10072020 – Matthew 21. Oh, he could be “a button pusher” alright…but then, can’t we all? I am sure, you have probably done your share of “pushing those buttons…” in your lifetime. Sometimes we know just “WHAT to say.” And, “HOW to say it.”  And, with “WHAT” kind of a voice.” And, even “WHEN” to […]

10032020 – Matthew 21. 33-46   There is a “background” and – an “important context” to our texts…   Jesus ENTERED the Holy City (of Jerusalem) to a great deal of popular acclaim and fanfare!  Talk about your “riding’ high…moments!”   He also “dropped in” on the Temple, where he kind of “FREAKED OUT”…when he […]

0926a2020 – Matthew 21. 23-32 EZEKIEL was so good.  He was so right on. Very typical of your Hebraic prophet. “Turn around”…he would have yelled. “REPENT”…he would have screamed… “Change your ways…NOW!” “You have choices to make.” “Lots of choices.” “MAKE only good choices.” “You already KNOW what to do.” “Think BEFORE you act. “Be […]

09262020 – Matthew 21. 23-32   You gotta love Jesus’ parables.  He is the master storyteller… as a matter of fact, some have said, he is the original creator of “the short story.” Jesus could tell ‘em, alright!  He grabbed your attention!  People listened!  You never quite knew “what kind of a spin” he would […]

Readers’ Theatre – A Play in One Act – based on Matthew 20. 1-16   Parts:  Joseph (Father), Rebecca (Mother), Elizabeth (daughter), and the part of the narrator. Setting:  Three chairs, socially distanced (Covid 19 Pandemic) – facing the congregation.   [NARRATOR:  It is starting to get dark outside it is more than obvious that […]

09162020 – The Churches Biggest Downfall is “US”   You know OTHERS are WATCHING. Others are LISTENING. Others are OBSERVING. They SEE, they HEAR, they WATCH…and they do not like “what it IS” they are SEEING. The church IS hypocritical. We SAY one thing. We do ANOTHER. We think NO ONE notices. We think we […]

09122020 – Matthew 18. 21-35   Jesus was on a ROLL.  This is POWERFUL stuff.  It has to do with “forgiveness” and “forgiving others.”   Last week, WHEN we gathered together for prayer we talked about WHEN someone hurts you, or sins against you.  WHAT is the Christian supposed TO DO?  Just HOW, are you […]