During this Easter season we’ve been reading from the book of Acts where we would normally have Old Testament readings. I do miss having an Old Testament reading, and we’ll hear them again soon, but the lectionary switches to Acts because we don’t really have another place for Acts. It’s not a gospel, and it’s… Read More ›
It’s tax season. More importantly, it’s also holy week. During Holy Week, as the Jewish leaders were trying to find an excuse to arrest Jesus, they set a trap for him. They asked him if it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not (Mark 12:13-17). If Jesus said, “Yes,” it would anger the… Read More ›
I have a drill. Actually, I have six drills … I think. Two of them do not work. I won’t say what brand they are. What do my drills do, at least the ones that work? They drill holes. They drive screws. Occasionally they do a few other things. I also have at least five… Read More ›
Ash Wednesday is right around the corner (February 17). On this day we remember that we are dying, and, not only that, but we are dying because we are sinners. This is something we should remember and confess every single day. We are dying. And the reason is that we are sinners. This is something… Read More ›
I have a neighbor who likes to talk. Occasionally I see him and greet him across the fence. Sometimes it’s just to see how he’s doing. Sometimes it’s because I’m concerned about a tree branch. First I ask him how he’s doing. Then he tells me his political views. Regardless of the level of government… Read More ›
While on vacation this summer, I helped my parents put new siding on their house. The worst part was the chase around the chimney. It was (of course) on the tall side of the house, and it intersected with the roofline. So I was standing on three levels of scaffolding, swaying in the wind, and… Read More ›
What now? After ten weeks of meeting online for services, we’ve opened our doors for in-person services again. June 28 is “The Fifth Sunday of Reopening.” It’s been refreshing for me to see faces of Trinity again. Of course, many are still watching at home via the live stream, and that’s good. Our intention in… Read More ›
I’ve been thinking of doing a sermon series on pandemics in light of the Ten Commandments. I don’t do many sermon series. Aside from Lenten services, I think I have only done one series for Sunday mornings. Otherwise I’ve stuck to the lectionary readings. But, occasionally, something comes up that needs direct attention. Our current… Read More ›
Chaos is a particularly terrifying form of evil. It is, by definition, unpredictable. And that’s what makes it so unbearable. You have no idea what will happen next. Chaos could be anything from a house full of hyper children to a global pandemic. You would rather know what is going to happen next, even if… Read More ›
Our world is suffering. People are dying (though that’s nothing new). People are dying alone. Our region hasn’t seen the “newsworthy” tragedy seen in other parts of the nation and world. But our tragedies are still just as real. We’re suffering loneliness and fear as many are forced to sit at home alone and wonder… Read More ›