On Sunday, low Sunday, we may still be a bit hungover from the intoxicating joy of Easter. A sugary spirit filled high-on-faith experience fueled by beautiful music, fabulous flowers, chocolate rabbits, and marshmallow peeps – so sweet and so compelling who could deny that day that the Lord is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. So,…
MY CONFESSION dear ones in Christ gathered faithfully here at Emmanuel is that my memory is bad lately. Not for names or faces: I’m having trouble sometimes with the day of the week, the month, or even what year it is. Some of that is the weather here in Virginia in April—winter then summer in…
“Who Do You Say That I Am?” Lenten Series Post #9 Jesus for me is perfect peace, something our world is in desperate need of these days. He walked this earth as an example of unconditional love, belonging and forgiveness, which is the birthright of every child of God, not something that needs to be earned. The…
“Who Do You Say That I Am?” Lenten Series Post #8 When I think of Jesus asking, “Who do you say that I am?”, the answer comes quickly: you’re my best friend. It’s a simple answer from as far back as I can remember. I grew up in the Catholic church, and when my family…
How many times do you think you have washed your hands over the past two years? Especially during the pandemic – keeping things squeaky clean so that we would not help spread the virus. Way too many times to count on our fingers, right? So, lets’ put together a little equation: 365 days x 2 years x…
Arguably the most famous parable Jesus ever told, the prodigal son is an incredible story. Charles Dickens said, “It is the finest short story ever written.” Yet despite its popularity many of us might have missed the timeless meaning in this parable for us today. The Context Of The Prodigal Son To understand the meaning…
Who Do You Say That I Am? Lenten Series Post #7 In Matthew: 16, Mark: 8 and Luke: 9, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the people say I am?” He followed that question with, “Who do you think I am?” It’s sort of strange, these questions, because clearly Jesus knew who he was. Still…
Who Do You Say That I Am? Lenten Series Post #6 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me.…
In ancient of days, rabbis had myriad ways to read the Torah. Using their imaginations, they would scour the scriptures looking for meaning between the lines and in the spaces between the words. It’s called “midrash” and here is one of my favorites by Rabbi Marc Gellman. “When God set out to pick a leader…
Who Do Say That I Am? Lenten Series Post #5 I worked with Hospice for eleven years and I had many experiences walking with the Lord. Dying is an interesting business as a counselor on the outside looking in. I was fortunate to hold the hands of many of the dying, in all of them…
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