I'm often intrigued by the messages all around me, especially those on wheels. I've explored this fascination in prior posts, including We Could Wreck the World A few weeks ago I as I neared downtown Dallas on I-30 on my way to White Rock Center of Hope, I observed a truck displaying an unexpected message. "We could wreck the world. Jesus Saves." Business Insight The marketing trick worked. I turned to Google to learn more.. The first article I read was "God's Wrecking Crew," a Read More …
Discipleship
Lenten Challenge: Loving God & Loving Neighbor (#2206)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we kicked off the Lenten Challenges series. Sermon My message, “Loving God and Loving Neighbor” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 10:25-42. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I remember a time when a lot of people were talking about a church sign. I’m not referencing the fact that Advent’s church sign went dark earlier this week and is now awaiting a repair. Although now, you’ll Read More …
Counting the Cost (#2205)
Today is Ash Wednesday. It is also the start of a new sermon series at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA: Lenten Challenges. Sermon My message, Counting the Cost“” is based on the narrative lectionary passage:: Luke 9:51-62. At noon I preached it as part of an English language service at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). At 7:00pm, I preached it again as part of a bilingual service with the assistance of Connie Ortega. Since these services were not livestreamed or recorded, the only way to Read More …
Listen to Jesus (#2203)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). we concluded our Meeting Jesus Again series. Sermon My message, “Listen to Him” is based on the narrative lectionary passage:: Luke 9:28-45. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt These disciples were not seeking out a mountaintop experience, but are transformed by it. They and we seek clarity and understanding. The Transfiguration provides all of this and more. In this moment we see much more Read More …
My Visit to Our Lord’s Lutheran Church (#2202)
In December 2023, my wife started a new job in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. Since her work requires on site leadership, we immediately became a multi-state family. We retained our home in Arlington, Texas and rented an apartment in Oklahoma City. Then, a few months later, we purchased a home in Oklahoma City. I planned to spend at least one weekend a month in Oklahoma. And, on Sunday mornings we expected to visit one of the area Mainline Protestant congregations. That plan worked Read More …
Long-Term Church Membership (#2201)
Somehow I've managed to do what I once assumed impossible: become a long-term member of a local congregation. I've been part of several congregations for three years and one congregation for four years, however, those medium-term experiences included both church membership and paid service on the church staff. And, in the case of my four years at Naples United Church of Christ not only was I both a church member and a member of the church staff, I was not present for worship on Sunday mornings Read More …
The Gift of Doubt (#2200)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). we continued our Meeting Jesus Again series. Sermon My message, “Welcoming Doubt" is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 7:18-23. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Just as good church members – of actual congregations as well as fictitious ones – know what to expect of a prospective pastor, John the Baptist knew what to expect of Jesus. Remember siblings in Christ, this is the same John Read More …
Preaching Justice: A Community & A Lifeline (#2199)
When I first applied to become a Preaching Justice Fellow, I saw it as an opportunity to sharpen my skills in preaching justice and leading meaningful social change. At the time, I had no idea that this fellowship would coincide with my return to the pulpit as Interim Senior Pastor of a local congregation, or that it would unfold during a pivotal moment in American history. Now I understand this fellowship as much more than a professional development opportunity; it is a lifeline. The Read More …
Speaking New Life (#2198)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). we continued our Meeting Jesus Again series. Sermon My message, “Speaking New Life” is based on the narrative lectionary passage:: Luke 7:1-17. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Since I’ve officiated a number of funerals over the years, I know what to expect. Also, since I’ve also been in ministry a few decades, I know to expect the unexpected. Thinking back over the more unusual moments, I Read More …
The Future of Faith: Imagining Life Together (#2196)
Last week I spent three days in San Francisco for the Faith and Justice Winter Gathering: The Future of Faith: Imagining Life Together, which included some special gatherings for the organization's Preaching Justice Fellows. I'm honored to be among this group (for more on the fellowship, check out I’m a Preaching Justice Fellow!). Overview While, the general format of this three day experience was similar to the Fall Gathering in Minneapolis (for more on my experience there check out Reset Read More …