[This sermon used a lot of props, so I’ve included photos of the props, and I’ve left in my “stage notes” to show when and where I used them.] When I read the scripture for today, and realized that the passage was John 3:16, I began to think back to where and when I had…
Don’t drink, smoke, or chew, or go with girls who do…
Daily Office Readings – NT ( 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 ) Growing up, one of the phrases I heard quite a few times from either youth pastors, or pastors who wanted to relate to the youth was the phrase in the title of this post. Of course, the phrase could just as easily reference “boys who…
Preaching Christ Crucified
Daily Office Readings – NT ( 1 Corinthians 2:1-13 ) & Gospel ( Mark 1:29-45 ) Several years ago, I lived in a part of California that was home to several of the bigger Evangelical churches, though I myself belonged to a liturgical congregation. Because of this, I often wore a crucifix when I was…
Sin Embargo
Daily Office Readings – Gospel ( Mark 1:14-28 ) Today, in my Spanish class, one of the people used the phrase ‘sin embargo,’ which means ‘nevertheless.’ But every time I hear it, I say to myself that a ‘sin embargo’ is what is supposed to happen during Lent. Sin is something we are supposed to…
This Is The Antichrist
Daily Office Reading – NT ( 1 John 2:18-29 ) When I was growing up, one of the things that seemed to be on everyone’s mind was this notion of the Antichrist, since, according to some big names, the rapture was supposed to happen sometime during the 80’s. People were looking for every sign to…
Love ’em all, let God sort ’em out
Daily Office Readings – NT ( Romans 13:1-14 ) This passage today starts out with calling people to obey the authority of government, because God has ordained it; if people rebel against the ruling authority, then they can be found to be rebeling against God, since he has put into place those who are in…
In The World, But Not of It?
Daily Office Readings – NT ( Romans 12:1-8 ) The first few verses in this passage in Romans are often cited when people want to encourage others to focus on the good things, and to avoid the bad. In my experience, churches that focus on holiness tend to emphasize this passage, and, often, include the…
Respect My Authority…
Daily Office Readings – NT ( Hebrews 13:17-25 ) I’ve been involved in various Christian churches since birth. At one point in my life, I belonged to a particular denomination that closely resembled the Catholic/Anglican/Episcopal traditions, but wasn’t related to any of them. They were a blend of the charismatic, the evangelical and the liturgical,…
I’m Not Going
Daily Office Gospel ( John 7:1-13 ) A few things jumped out at me in today’s reading. One was that Jesus’ brothers told him to go to Judea and do miracles there where people could see him. That first bit about his brothers gets into a theological argument that has nothing to do with Jesus’…
Living Bread
Daily Office Readings – Gospel ( John 6:41-51 ) Today’s passage in the Gospel is one of those readings that features quite a bit in our understanding of the Eucharist because Jesus equates his body with the bread from heaven, with the living bread, with the bread that gives eternal life. These few verses are…