Return of the Jews

A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho December 14, 2019 Ezra 1:1-4, 3:1-4, 10-13 As we’ve learned throughout the fall, the Jews had been carted off to exile in Babylon initially in 586 BCE.  Their temple destroyed by Nebachadnezzer. Their lives upended. But then Persia had become the dominant power in the…

New Hope: A Hope Awakens

A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho December 1, 2019 Jeremiah 33:14-18 Welcome to Advent! I know some of you think “Advent” is Latin for “why can’t we sing Christmas Carols yet?”, but in fact, adventus means arriving, or something about to begin. It is the beginning of the church year, and…

Centering God

A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church October 20, 2019 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 6:1-9 Ruth’s story from last week took place in the time of the Judges, a story whose last verse is: In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes. The Book…

Each Other’s People

A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church October 12, 2019 Ruth 1 This story, we’re told, takes place during the time of the Judges. A famine in the land caused Naomi and her family to leave the Promised Land and go back across the river to Moab, modern day Jordan. Her husband, Elimilech, and then…

Let Suffering Speak

A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho. July 28, 2019 Hebrews 4:14–5:10 One of our church book groups just read Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans. We had a good discussion Thursday night about it. And if you haven’t read it, we would all…

Pioneers

A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho. July 21, 2019 Hebrews 2:10-18 As I mentioned last week, the author of Hebrews is giving us different snapshot images of who Jesus is. Last week, we learned of Jesus as the Son, the exact imprint of God’s being. A perfect reflection.  This week, we…