Those in the know
This is the nature of systemic injustice. Everyone knows, but they each accept their given role in the shared lie.
April 8, 2025
Box-cutting Thoughts
Previous Weekly Word Blogs
From 2012 through the spring of 2020, I faithfully did a blog every Tuesday just to keep my hand in the grind of preparing to preach every week. Then my website caught whatever virus was going around back then. I pride myself in being computer savvy, and with the extra time I had on my hands (COVID 19) canceled the workshops I had planned for the year, you would think I would fix it quickly. Instead, I bought the domain name www.morethantheflu.com and built a new website focusing on the transition we Americans, as well as our local churches, were going through. Only with the spring of 2024 did I get back to publishing a weekly word. Hope you find it fun.
Palm Sunday/Reasons for the Cross
Palm and Passion Sunday are not in opposition. They are two acts in the same drama. The story of Palm Sunday provides two of the five
April 8, 2025
Not our money
[During the dinner to honor Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead] Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed
March 31, 2025
Taking the Bit
Sometimes the lectionary gives us a series of verses, from various parts of the Bible, that are connected, like beads on a string by a
March 24, 2025
A Fig Tree Time of Life
I believe that we as a nation, as well as, as individuals, go through different periods of our lives. We are like the washing machine
March 17, 2025
Stop Screaming at the Microwave
Too often, we shout, “Hurry up!” This is not Christ-like. We see in Jesus a life where patience and prayer guided every word and deed.
March 13, 2025
God’s Will?
One of Jesus’ most forgotten sayings is that, “[God causes the] sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
March 7, 2025
Un-Saints
Lent begins this week and I would urge you to consider who Jesus blesses, and who should be considered “Un-saints”: Un-saints are arrogant. They think
March 6, 2025
Justice is Key for Christians
Justice is the central tenet of the Christian faith. Period. A political leader cannot claim to be a “Christian” and take actions that are inherently
March 2, 2025
Religion and Politics
How do we separate religion and politics? I think Jesus would tell us to do our duty in each sphere. On the religious side of the
November 12, 2024
Unless…
We all think it is important to do important things. Most of us can remember some big thing in our lives that took all of
November 6, 2024
Jesus Redefines Sainthood
In the past, I have emphasized the all in All Saints Day. Not this year. There isn’t an ‘all’ in Jesus’ definition of saint. In
October 30, 2024
Seeking God in Solitude
The God that we seek, is hard to find amidst the noise of public worship. The almighty doesn’t suddenly appear when we get alone, either.
October 22, 2024
Don’t Demonize Your Enemies
“Never attribute to malevolence that which is merely due to incompetence.” – Arthur C. Clarke (3001: The Final Odyssey) I take Arthur C. Clarke’s words
July 24, 2024
Come Away
I’m retired; my wife keeps reminding me of this. Yet, I am busier than ever. Part of it is because I have doubled down on
July 15, 2024
Another View of John the Baptist
This is one of the places where the gospel of Mark and that of Luke veer away from each other. Luke has John the Baptist
July 13, 2024
On being Willing and Obedient
My wife and I recently celebrated our 50th anniversary. Countless people congratulated us and we were thankful. Reflecting back to the early years, I feel
July 5, 2024
The Rushmore Context
In 1978, the United Methodist Church took an incredible risk and ordained me. I spent the next thirty-odd years serving both rural and urban congregations.
June 11, 2024
Rethinking Deborah
I am working on a historical fiction book set in time of Herod the Great. I have a character who is a single woman in
June 3, 2024
Expect Growth
Jesus’ point is that a seed can start out small, but like a weed, grow to takes over the garden. Why should our faith become so obvious?
June 2, 2024
The Other Trinity
On Trinity Sunday we consider the new normal of Christianity. Religion at the time of Jesus was mostly a local affair. Most people alive then,
May 21, 2024
3 Fold Challenge
John challenges our faith: Do you believe that Jesus is God? Has he become the light of your life? Does he live with you in your everyday life?
May 20, 2024
Come over here and help
If we ignore the little nudges of the Holy Spirit, we risk losing our awareness of God’s mission. What does he want us to do
May 19, 2024
A Funeral Dinner for Dorcas
Each of us have been blessed by people who day after day did “good works and acts of charity.” Shall I name Margaret? Shall I name
May 2, 2022