I’ve never asked for money on this blog before, but as you’re making your final 2016 donations, I’d like to make a request. The church I serve, Southminster Presbyterian, generously supports my writing, both theological and civic. It is because of them that I have the privilege of time for blog writing. If that weren’t…
A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho October 30, 2016 1 Kings 17 Today, the Narrative Lectionary drops us in the story of Elijah. Elijah is a pivotal figure in the history of Israel and is in the minds of many of our New Testament authors. It is to Elijah that John…
A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho on November 2, 2014. 1 John 3:1-3 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved,…
Isaiah 5:1-7 Matthew 21:33-46 A Sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian on October 5, 2014 In the mid 8th century BCE, it was a lousy time to be an Israelite. The kingdom has been divided into Northern and Southern factions. Neither of them is militarily strong enough to defend themselves from the Assyrians. The Assyrians had…
A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho on November 10, 2013 Haggai 1:15b-2:9 Haggai’s prophesy dates from Aug and Dec 520 BCE, which can be dated by the dates and the names of the rulers mentioned in it. He is one of the 3 post-exilic prophets of his era (that we know…
A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho on October 27, 2013. Joel 2:23-32 Luke 18:9-14 The Book of Joel is best read in one sitting. I invite you to look through it this week. It opens with a story of destruction. Locusts invade and destroy the land. Crops fail. Fire burns. A…
A sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho October 14, 2012. Mark 10:17-31 Before we get into this text this morning, I want to make sure we are clear about how we fit in this passage. It is easy, I think, from the stresses of our own lives, to not feel rich. None…
A sermon preached October 16, 2011 at Southminster Presbyterian Church, Boise, Idaho Exodus 33:12-23 Moses had a different relationship with God than just about anyone in the Scriptural record, other than Jesus. Certainly different encounters with God than I have had. Before the passage you heard this morning, God had told Moses, “your people are…
A Sermon preached at Southminster Presbyterian October 17, 2010 Luke 12:13-31 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on…
Acts 8:9-25A Sermon preached at SouthminsterNovember 15, 2009 Our text today takes place in the midst of both an exciting and a scary time for the new church. After the passage Ruth preached on last week from Acts 4 about testifying, the followers of Jesus do some amazing things. The authorities are not happy. These…
