Be Salty
May the words I speak this day be only God’s. May the words you hear today be only God’s. Growing up on the gulf coast of Texas, I spent a lot of time at the beach. I could not wait to run and jump in the water. I loved swimming and diving into the waves. […]
Baptism, Wilderness, Ministry
As many of you likely know, I am ordained in the UCC tradition, but I grew up Catholic. Like any Catholic child, I was baptized soon after birth. However, it wasn’t until I came in contact with Protestantism, particularly in the UCC, that my baptism came to have new meaning for me. It happened at […]
God is with us
Restore us, O God of hosts; *show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Christmas comes every year—in peacetime and in war; in times of sorrow and of joy; in sickness and in health. No matter the state of our nation or our world, Christmas comes. And with it the clarion call […]
Turn, turn, turn
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6) On this second Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves once again on the banks of […]
Imagine
“May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls *and quietness within your towers. 8 For my brethren and companions’ sake, *I pray for your prosperity. 9 Because of the house of the Lord our God, *I will seek to do you good.” (Psalm 122: 6b-9) In 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono wrote […]
Today in Paradise
1 God is our refuge and strength, *a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea; 3 Though its waters rage and foam, *and though the mountains tremble at its tumult. 4 The Lord of hosts is with […]
Thanksgiving for all who have transformed us in love
Last week, I watched the funeral of Congressman Elijah Cummings. Funerals are times when we get to hear stories of a person’s life and character and in Elijah Cummings’ case, how love and faith shaped him for good work. There were many remarkable speakers that extolled Congressman Cummings tireless work for the rights of all […]
God’s Grace is for Us All
4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way. 5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *for the early rains have covered it with pools of water. 6 They will climb from height to height, *and the God […]
Gratitude
The theologian, Karl Barth was fond of saying that the basic human response to God is gratitude—not fear and trembling, not guilt and dread, but gratefulness. “What else can we say to what God gives us but stammer praise?[1]Gratitude opens us to awe. A heart turned toward gratitude comes to see the goodness and grace […]
What is faith?
3 Put your trust in the Lord and do good; * dwell in the land and feed on its riches. 4 Take delight in the Lord, * and he shall give you your heart’s desire. 5 Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him, * and he will bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:3-5) We were supposed to be […]