In our Epistle reading today we heard these words: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In our Old Testament lesson today, we heard of Abraham’s faith and how it was tested. Abraham was getting old, and he and Sarah were childless, even though God had appeared to […]
Sermon Topic: Hope
The Fullness of the Promise
“Leave your home. Leave your family.” And he did it. That’s what the Lord commanded a man named Abram, when he spoke to him one day, out of the blue. Not exactly mincing words, either: leave home, leave family, because for the purposes of God’s providence, Abram must be given a new beginning altogether, a […]
I don't understand, but I know my God does.
“I don’t understand, but I know my God does.”- The words of Pastor Frank Pomeroy the day after a gunman killed 26 worshippers of his congregation, including his own 14-year-old daughter. “I don’t understand, but I know my God does.” When we face tragedy or loss, particularly when it comes suddenly and violently, we are […]
Alleluia, the Lord is Risen
For at least some of Jesus’ friends, the first Easter morning had started very early, while it was still dark and quiet. It is hard for me to imagine the toll that the events of the previous week had taken on them. Everything had been tied up in Jesus. All of their hopes had found […]
What God's "Anger" Means
Suddenly, destruction will fall upon the people. There will be howling, screaming, running with fear and confusion. There will be reports of pangs and sorrows. Faces will be as if they are burning, on fire. The land will be left desolate; destruction will be everywhere. The stars will be darkened, perhaps with the smoke of […]
Message in a Bottle
Walking through the crowds on Fifth Avenue is becoming worthy of being an Olympic Sport. Not because there are thousands of people doing their Christmas shopping, I mean the thousands (and I mean thousands) that seem to have developed an innate radar because they can seemingly walk down the street and cross the road whilst […]
No more Advents, please?
The more time passes the more I love Advent more than any other season of the church year. But the more time passes the more prepared I am never to observe another Advent season again. It seems there are only two Advents that are of any consequence, and these two are essential to our understanding […]
Soon and Very Soon
In the Old Testament, the last twelve books are known as the minor prophets: Hosea and Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and the others. We call them “minor” prophets not because they are unimportant—they aren’t the farm team for the major league other prophets—but because they’re shorter than the others. Were you to sit down this afternoon […]
Hopeful Living
For many of us it is hard to understand the feelings of those who have lost loved ones in violent circumstances. As we celebrated the mass of Resurrection only a few hours ago, a suicide bomber walked into the children’s’ area of a park in Lahore, Pakistan, where families with children were enjoying their own […]
Vanity of Vanities!
“Mortal pride and earthly glory, sword and crown betray our trust; though with care and toil we build them, tower and temple fall to dust. But God’s power, hour by hour, is my temple and my tower.” (Robert Bridges; 1844-1930) My wife and I are very blessed in that we have had some wonderful vacations […]
