So forgiveness pre-requires understanding the mistakes of the past? here hear re this opposing this me-first, America-first, white-first, male-first approach>…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Hermano- The Most Dangerous Word: Proper 12B
Read MORE: Hermano- The Most Dangerous Word: Proper 12BBehave as if you believe. Part of me wants this very much, because it is the way to the fullness of God. But another part resists. “Behave as if you believe” are very dangerous words. They remind me Tennessee Williams’…
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Words, Words, Words: Proper 18B
Read MORE: Words, Words, Words: Proper 18BWhy did Jesus heal the deaf man? What went through his mind when people brought this broken soul to him? Mark indicates he was inconvenienced; not prepared for this intrusion, but he sighed deeply, took him away from the crowds…
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God’s Beloved: Epiphany 3a
Read MORE: God’s Beloved: Epiphany 3aThis is a very special day for me. In November 1999, I began to feel ill in the middle of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. In four days, I had heart bypass surgery. For the first time in my life, I faced…
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The Sower: Proper 10 (Pentecost 8)
Read MORE: The Sower: Proper 10 (Pentecost 8)Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, “The Sower and the Setting Sun” played a very special role in my ministry. The artist wrote frequently that it was his first effort to use extravagant, bold, contrasting color to express emotion. You can almost…
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At the Mount of the Beatitudes
Read MORE: At the Mount of the BeatitudesI preached this sermon last January during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with people from Good Shepherd Lutheran in Gaithersburg, Maryland. We were on the spot at the the Sea of Galilee where many believe Jesus taught the Sermon…
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Karen and Jan’s Wedding
Read MORE: Karen and Jan’s WeddingRuth 1: 16-17 Ruth said, ‘Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my…
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Stop Fooling Around
Read MORE: Stop Fooling AroundFor several years I have been trying to lead one of my favorite people into the ministry. I have been extremely sensitive to his needs, letting him work as slowly as he needs through all the obstacles and questions. I…
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Turn The Other Cheek
Read MORE: Turn The Other CheekThe temptation is to give a polished sermon that glosses over the meaning of all these basic but difficult texts. I am going to offer instead a rough Bible study that I hope will allow Jesus’ challenge to shine through.…
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Shout It From The Rooftops
Read MORE: Shout It From The RooftopsMatthew 10: 26-31 Have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what…
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Here I Come!
Read MORE: Here I Come!All Advent, we have been praying, “Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Stir up your power, O God, and come.” Now on Christmas Eve, we hear God’s reply, “Okay. Here I come.” We jump back. We are afraid.…
Recent Comments
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!
yes we need to forgive our leaders yet make sure they do the right thing – which they aren’t.