hat’s more, Paul goes on to say, in the freedom that Christ’s death and resurrection had brought to them, upholding the rules and regulations really meant nothing. In Christ, the only thing that mattered was “faith working through love.” Paul then goes on in the next several verses to explain that the only real thing that matters is fulfilling the law by Loving your neighbor as yourself.
“Thoughts and prayers.” If ever there was a heaping up of empty phrases, these three words after every major mass shooting in this country would win the prize for most overused phrase with the most under-whelming effect. “Thoughts and prayers” mean nothing when they do not move people to affect real and lasting change.
When I was a pastor for a small church up in the pacific northwest, I received a phone call one day. The call came from another pastor in our diocese, who wanted to let me know that he had a “word of knowledge” for me.
For those of you not particularly versed in the charismatic / pentecostal nomenclature, a “word of knowledge” is a personal prophecy, or discernment, regarding what God is doing in the life of another person. These can at times be very powerful, when truly directed by God. When not directed by God, they tend to take on the likeness of a battering ram.
Lectionary Readings – 7th Sunday after Pentecost Since I grew up in northern Alaska, I have never spent much time farming, nor have I seen much in the way of wheat whenRead More…
Daily Office Readings – Gospel ( Luke 13:10-17 ) These past few weeks have seen a lot of protests concerning the persistent racism in this country. Those protesting have pointed out thatRead More…
Today’s Daily Office Readings – Gospel ( Matt. 16:21-28 ) “Get behind me Satan!” Peter doesn’t want Jesus to die, as is natural for someone who has become your teacher, friend andRead More…
Daily Office Readings – Gospel ( Matthew 7:1-12 ) The other day, I ran across a Twitter stream ripping on everyone and anyone who had caused the Tweeter even a most minorRead More…
Daily Office Readings – Gospel ( Matthew 5:27-37 ) As soon as I started reading this Gospel this morning, my mind went back too several youth leaders and pastors I’ve known, andRead More…
Lectionary Readings – (Second Sunday in Lent) [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 andRead More…
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 relateRead More…