Today, I preached a message titled “Called to Heal, Invited to Travel Light” based on Mark 6:1-13 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in downtown Fort Worth. Sermon You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt This week I interrupted my normal social media routine of posting pictures to ask a question: What do you think Jesus is best known for?[1] I’ve received a wide range of replies. These included some religious responses: Read More …
compassion
A Compelling Version of Christianity (#1804)
I cannot count the number of times in recent years that I've had to explain that I'm not the type of Christian someone assumes I am (and/or assumes all Christians are). A Compelling Christianity It is helpful to focus on what one's version of Christianity is about or stands for rather than how it differs from another type of Christianity that is best known for what it is against. Rozella Haydée White formerly served in the national setting of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Read More …
Sermon: Courageous Compassion (#1550)
Sermon Text: Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Sermon Excerpt Marcus Borg, a progressive Christian scholar who has shaped my thinking about what it means to live as a follower of the Way of Jesus, taught that “compassion is the central virtue of a life centered in God as known in Jesus.” Further, he suggests that although Luke 6:36 is typically translated “be merciful as God is merciful,” a better translation given the meaning we assign to words in our contemporary culture would be “be Read More …
Sermon: Your Healing Touch (#1541)
Sermon Text: Luke 8:40-56 Sermon Excerpt Have you heard about people who claim to heal in Jesus’ name by doing very unusual things? Perhaps in flipping through channels on your television you have stopped on a curious sight only to find yourself watching a faith healer in action. Today there are more odd options than ever before. In my own limited quest for understanding I have found one man to be the strangest of all. This so-called man of God is best known for holding what Read More …
Review of Beyond Religion (#0713)
Meet the Author His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso (short for Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso), "is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet." For decades he has been among the most recognizable advocates of peace, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his continued non-violent efforts aimed at the liberation of Tibet. Additionally, His Holiness has received nearly a hundred formal awards or honors for his Read More …
Restoring the Mainline’s Prophetic Voice (#0426)
After 23 years at the Cathedral of Hope (UCC) in Dallas, TX, Michael Piazza accepted a call to the Virginia-Highland Church (UCC) earlier this year. Piazza has been an important voice in the progressive Christian movement for many years and currently serves as Co-Executive Director of The Center for Progressive Renewal. In theSpring/Summer edition of the Center's bi-annual publication, New Times, Piazza offers these challenging words: The time is overdue for Read More …