The Interruptions ARE the Ministry

Sermon prepared for the ELCIC 2024 Summer Sermon Series–July 21, 2024 Sometimes we can get so caught up in doing the work we think Jesus has tasked us with, that we miss the invitation to step away, take a break, and witness the new thing that God is up to… Continue reading

A Lofty Vision

The question about how to “love your neighbour” is not about itemizing and classifying who qualifies as worthy of love.  Loving our neighbour is as much about reflecting on our own biases, prejudices and priorities that show up when we are faced with someone who is suffering. Sermon preached during the… Continue reading

THIS Ground…

I am coming to a different kind of appreciation about the importance of identifying the ground on which you live and work.  It’s about identity.  It’s about tradition.  It’s about community.  It’s about justice and reconciliation.  It’s about holding the past and the present together. This reflection was shared at the 2023 Florida/Bahamas Synod Synodical… Continue reading

Whose Light Is It?

This is who and what you are.  You are the light.  Being a light is not action you take to deserve or prove your rightness before God.  Becoming a light is action God takes.  You are the light of the world.  Some days you may feel like it, most days you probably don’t.  But it’s still… Continue reading

Sarah’s Laugh of Doubt

This reflection was prepared for Trinity Lutheran Church in Pembroke Pines, FL, in October, 2020. A creative rendering of what the biblical character Sarah might have written in her journal, or as an email to a friend. Sarah reflects on how to support a vision she couldn’t see, and the… Continue reading

Today (and every day) is about Re-formation

Sermon—Oct. 30, 2022 (Epiphany Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba)John 8:31-36; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:19-28 Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus.  Amen. When was the last time you got to answer the question “how did you get here?”  If you’ve moved to a new city, house or country, you… Continue reading

Share the Light

Sermon—March 11, 2018 Numbers 21:4-9Ephesians 2:1-10John 3:14-21 Today’s gospel reading begins with a reference to an obscure story from Numbers that is probably not in many children’s Bibles, and doesn’t have a fun chorus with cheesy hand-motions that go with it.  It’s just…odd.  The Israelites are in the wilderness on… Continue reading

Lessons in Hindsight

Sermon for St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Dunedin, FLMay 28, 2017John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14 Our readings today speak to the transition from the season of Easter to the season of Pentecost.  For the last 6 weeks, we have been basking in the light of the resurrected Christ, celebrating the truth that… Continue reading

Not Another School Cafeteria Scene

Pentecost 12cAug. 28, 2022 Luke 14:1, 7-14 Prepared for Family Camp weekend at Luther Village. It’s a common feature in coming of age movies–the school cafeteria. A new kid walks in and doesn’t know where to sit. An ‘unpopular kid is sitting at a table and a group of ‘popular’… Continue reading

Saving Seats and Measures of Greatness

A sermon based on Mark 10:35-45, Oct. 17, 2021 If your home was anything like mine, there was more than one sibling spat about who got to sit where.  I grew up with brothers, and we would regularly compete for the best seats at the table, in the car, or even… Continue reading