Category Archives: sermon preparation

Despicable dancing?

There is a theme of dance, loss, enmity, and faithfulness running from the Old Testament lesson to the gospel. I don’t know quite what to make of it, because it keeps twirling away every time I think I’ve caught the … Continue reading

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Thinking out loud

Since yesterday, I’ve seen a number of emails, tweets and Facebook posts along the lines of “What are you going to say on Sunday?” It’s a little bit like the supreme court affirmation of affordable care all over again. I … Continue reading

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A prophet without honour

Two brothers grew up a few years apart. They were close for a time, but grew somewhat apart. They moved in different circles. The elder brother worked hard and achieved some recognition, even notoriety. Every so often the younger brother … Continue reading

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Healthcare and healing

It is tempting, as many have observed, to link this Sunday’s readings to this Thursday’s Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Politics from the pulpit are tricky. The need to be prophetic and the need to … Continue reading

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Does size matter?

Last week, the elders of Israel were quite rude and unmannerly to Samuel, declaring him “old,” and demanding a king. Samuel was justifiably offended, but God told him to go ahead and give them a king (1 Samuel 8). God … Continue reading

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2 Corinthians and the naive faith of Henry Vaughn

When I was twelve, my English teacher told my parents that I was quite naive in my reading of the class poetry assignments. I knew why she said that. We had been reading Henry Vaughn, who seemed almost jealous of … Continue reading

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Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

Earlier this week I posted “Unforgivable,” a meditation on how we read and receive the threat of unforgivable sin as presented in this week’s gospel. I shied away from defining the unpardonable; blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I maintain that … Continue reading

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Unforgivable

So you think you’ve committed the unpardonable, unforgivable, permanently staining sin. Welcome. It is amazing, isn’t it, that with all of the gospel good news telling us how much God loves us, how ready God is to forgive us, how … Continue reading

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Postponing Pentecost reflections

“How can they be drunk?” asks Peter, in all innocence. “It’s only nine o’clock in the morning!” And every time, I have to smile, or smirk, or weep at his innocence, or naïveté. As in the rest of the gospel … Continue reading

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TGIF and Eternity

Spoiler alert: this blog post may contain themes to be explored in Sunday’s sermon 😉 It’s Friday. Cue the “tgif” facebook posts, the end-of-work, end-of-week blowout plans. We like endings. We like our time packaged into boxes with sides and … Continue reading

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