Love Big: A Review and An Idea
Last night, or should I say, in the wee hours of the morning, I did as I do when I can’t sleep and I read an entire book. It was a book well worth the immersion because it sparked an idea that I can’t wait to get started on. First, the book and my review: […]
Same Old Story
A writing for Modern Metanoia, ADVENT 1, LUKE 21:25-36 If you have eyes, ears, and/or any kind of awareness of your surroundings, you might be like me right now. Angry. Heartbroken. On the verge of hopelessness. What the heck is wrong with our country – the (not so) United States of America? What the heck […]
Gathering Roundup
Just over two years ago, I presented the dream of Hope sending youth to not one, but two youth gatherings – the 2017 Western States Youth Gathering with the theme of DREAM BIG and the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston with the theme of THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING. Hope captured the dream and answered the […]
A Little Extra
A sermon for Sermons That Work Trinity Sunday, John 3:1-17. Every extraordinary experience sparks from the ordinary. Take a moment and reflect on the moments that have made you who you are today. Some of them may be spectacular, earth shattering, heart breaking, and more. But when we really take the time to reflect on what […]
Join the Movement
An essay for Modern Metanoia on Trinity Sunday, John 3:1-17. Every extraordinary experience sparks from the ordinary. Full of curiosity, Nicodemus proactively seeks Jesus out at night. Jesus transforms what was an inconspicuous evening into a remarkable, life-changing event. What I love about the Gospel of John is the way we, readers thousands of years later, […]
The Rule of God, For Us
A sermon for Sermons That Work, Advent 2, Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort, O comfort. There is so much need for comfort in this world of heartbreak that we find ourselves. Every day we hear new stories of how we have failed each other; how we have used our talents, gifts, power, and position to maneuver our way […]
Proper 22
A writing for Modern Metanoia MATTHEW 21:33-46 ‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves […]
Who is Jesus For Us?
Sermon for Christ the King Sunday: Nov. 20, 2016 Over the past few weeks we have been unpacking together what it means to be a citizen. We have immersed ourselves in the words of the Beatitudes, considering this upside-down kingdom of God together, hearing that God blesses those who depend only on him, those who […]
Reign of Christ Sunday
Submission to Modern Metanoia for Reign of Christ Sunday: Luke 23:33-43 Last weekend, I sat with a 12 year old boy that desperately wanted to die. In reality, it wasn’t so much that he wanted to die, he just really didn’t think he deserved to live. He actually used those words. It was absolutely heartbreaking to […]
Growing Young, Chapter 7 Reflection
Be the Best Neighbors Churches that grow young recognize the careful dance that values both fidelity to Scripture’s commands for holiness and knowing and graciously loving their neighbors… Much more than developing detailed policies or releasing theological position papers, these churches train and infuse their young people with an integrated discipleship that enables them to […]