Religion has not always helped point people in the direction of God. In fact, sometimes it has had the opposite effect…pushing people away from God. Paul seemed to understand that when writing to the church at Rome. But he also suggested that having a bad experience with religion or religious people is no excuse for …
Installation Sunday July 11, 2021
The Front Porch June 17, 2021
I have heard these words dozens, maybe even hundreds, of times. I have used them almost as many. But it is possible that a phrase, or in this case a verse, can become too familiar. They can lose their power and meaning. I officiated at a celebration of life for Lee Higgins this week. This …
The Front Porch June 17, 2021
My first semester in seminary began in the fall of 1987. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the use of inclusive language was becoming more common in some Christian circles. There was a legitimate concern that using only male language to describe God was subtly (and maybe not so subtly) reinforcing a patriarchal system within …
The Front Porch June 10, 2021
Does ‘all’ really mean all? That is a question Jesus’ earliest disciples surely wrestled with. There was a time they didn’t think he meant children, but he did. There was another time they didn’t think he meant Samaritans, but he did. Prostitutes? Yep, them too. Lepers? Check. Roman centurions? Sure. Tax collectors? You bet. In …
The Front Porch June 3, 2021
My wife has learned over the years that I am not always present even when I am present. She refers to it as having my head in the clouds. That’s a nice way of saying my listening skills diminish when my mind is preoccupied. I consider it a professional hazard…often mulling over things I think …
The Front Porch May 27, 2021
E War is a dirty business. We have been reminded of that yet again this last week in the exchanges of missiles and rockets between Hamas and Israel. Many lives lost and many homes and businesses destroyed. And as is often the case in war, often it is innocent civilians and children who lose their …
The Front Porch May 20, 2021
Early in my ministry while serving as a Youth Director at Church of the Valley I lived with a woman from the church. No, not in the way you may be thinking. Mabel was well into her 80’s and widowed. She suffered from macular degeneration of her eyes, which limited her vision significantly. Mabel was …