We are a Mission Church. I had just spoken these words to our accountant who comes in quarterly to help us keep current with taxes and the like. She looked a little confused. Then a young man came into the office. He had the tell-tale number tattoo on the side of his head. He asked … Continue reading The Mission Field
Tag: Faith and Culture
Loneliness and Solitude
From the book, The Eternal Now, sermons of Paul Tillich written for college aged young people: "Our lanugage has wisely sensed two sides of man's being alone. It has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone." On … Continue reading Loneliness and Solitude
Far and Wide
In seminary at Yale Divinity School I was awed to find myself in a vast landscape--that of the Christian witness spoken through the centuries. My perspective, having grown up in the Southern California United Church of Christ, was limited by comparison. I realized I had only seen faith from one small corner of scholarship in … Continue reading Far and Wide
If
My daughter’s school assigned her fifth grade class to create a poetry notebook, to contain both poems she wrote and those she found and enjoyed. To further this I read a poetry anthology from my childhood with her, and we came upon Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If—.“ On revisiting this poem for the first time in … Continue reading If
Pleasing to God
When the firm ground shifts, praise God. As I started to prepare for my next preaching assignment (North Long Beach Christian Church, January 22, 10:45), I turned to this week's lectionary texts--a set of readings used by many Christian churches across denominations. They struck me with full force. "If riches increase, do not set your … Continue reading Pleasing to God
Speak, I am Listening
Last week, a friend of mine unplugged herself from her cell phone, in spite of the fact that she is a “connector” who enjoys being called. Somehow it had become clear to her that it was the week to stop answering the phone; to stop hearing the stories she had heard again and again. Instead, … Continue reading Speak, I am Listening
A Wandering Aramean was My Ancestor
Change is difficult, especially when it means leaving behind close relationships, financial security, and cherished plans. Last week I spoke with a “new church start” pastor, Reverend David Shirey, who hails from the Midwest. He had followed God’s leading to Arizona, where his startup church, after 8 years of devotion, has 150 members. “God has … Continue reading A Wandering Aramean was My Ancestor
The Prime Directive
I was once a great fan of Star Trek, the Next Generation. Although it still entertains, I find this third time through the series I’m irritated by all the judgment. I’ve heard often heard that we hate the judgmental God. We don’t like to hear about sin. And, yet, one of the most common themes … Continue reading The Prime Directive
The Sixth Day 