We live in a country divided, some would say, polarized. Polarization is when two opposing ideologies are established, each with their own mutually exclusive set of values. If either side takes a position on an issue, there’s a good chance the other side has taken the opposite stance. At its best, polarization allows us to […]
They call it “COVID Fatigue.” The diagnosis looks something like this: COVID Fatigue may or may not result directly from a diagnosis of COVID-19, but is likely much more widespread than the virus itself. COVID Fatigue occurs when a person reaches a breaking point with the persistently fluctuating flood of life changes because of the pandemic. […]
Back in February, our church did a Lent sermon series on the book of Job. It seems like a lifetime ago, but it was only a few months back. My recent vacation with my family reminded me of the theme verse of that series, Job 1:21. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.Blessed be […]
Usually when we think of grief, we think of what happens to us after a loved one has died. First, we experience the shock and denial of learning of the death. Then we become disoriented, anxious and even angry at the new reality of life without this person. We sink into dark places, where even […]
This Lent, my congregation will focus our Wednesdays on the topic of suffering as it is presented in the book of Job. I don’t need to convince you that suffering is a regular and unavoidable part of life. When we suffer or when we witness suffering, questions naturally arise. What is the cause of suffering? […]
It seems everywhere you look, someone is trying to influence our lifestyle choices. Whether it’s a retailer, an insurance company, a self-help book or a concerned mother, our lifestyle choices are under scrutiny. So often, when we make a healthy change, it doesn’t quite stick. Why? It’s one thing to make a change. It’s quite […]
A dear, wise friend once posed a critical question to me early in my ministry. “What is worship?” I struggled then to answer and continue to ponder to this day. What is it? Is it our weekly gathering that happens in a sanctuary? Of course! But is there more? We seem to fill the worship […]
Happiness. It is a fundamental American value. Yet, our relentless “pursuit of happiness,” often rings hollow and underwhelms, leaving us discontent. Undeterred, we resolve to carry on with the happiness expedition. Happiness must still be out there, somewhere. When we find it, we will finally be… happy. Is happiness the goal of a Christian? Is […]
For many years October 31, 2017 was greatly anticipated by my church body. Even 10 years ago, this day was being used to motivate and to inspire. Why? Because that date commemorated 500 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses disputing the sale of indulgences to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany. […]
There seems to be no relief. Our world has slipped into a persistent agitated state. Perhaps you see it in local and world events, or even your own life. People are agitated, angry and fed up. Our politics are agitated, our race relations are agitated, our international relations are agitated and all that agitation is […]
