Forgiveness: Forgiveness and Reconciliation part 3 of 3 I’ve talked about how too often we focus on people’s feelings when we talk about forgiveness. And I’ve admitted that our emotions are often involved whenever we go through a situation in which we are asked to forgive someone. We know that remorse is not repentance; repentance requir...
Forgiveness: Repentance part 2 of 3 So, if repentance and forgiveness are not emotions, what are they and how are they intended to work? And if we are to forgive endlessly, how is that not enabling bad behavior? The conundrum arises in Matthew 18: 15-22. In this passage, Jesus is describing how the members of his inner circle, those who ...
Forgiveness: Remorse or Repentance? part 1 of 3 Since the days of Cain and Abel, humanity has had to deal with how to deal with the kind of sin that damages others. That damage may be serious, as when Cain murdered Abel; or it may be slight, as when a sister borrows clothes without asking and ruins them. It may only damage goods or it ma...
In my recent pastoral letter to the congregation, there was an invitation to observe a holy Lent. In it, I enumerated seven disciplines to deepen our relationship with God in the journey toward Easter Day. Deepening one’s prayer practices. Broadening one’s observance of Bible reading for study and for edification. Experiencing the tradit...
In my recent pastoral letter to the congregation, there was an invitation to observe a holy Lent. In it, I enumerated seven disciplines to deepen our relationship with God in the journey toward Easter Day. Deepening one’s prayer practices. Broadening one’s observance of Bible reading for study and for edification. Experiencing the tradit...
Loving-kindness and Grace In my first year at Iliff School of Theology I was introduced to a concept that was immediately compelling to me. It was the concept of chesed, an attribute of God that is usually translated as “loving-kindness” but also as “mercy” and “goodness.” It is described as having a strong and steadfast quality. Chesed ...
Of What Am I Made? This would seem to be the easiest question I have posed for these blogs. I am made of atoms and molecules. I am ¾ water. I am flesh and blood and bone. My physical characteristics are determined by the DNA I inherited from my parents and their progenitors. But, as it turns out, that is the easiest part of the question ...
In my recent pastoral letter to the congregation, there was an invitation to observe a holy Lent. In it, I enumerated seven disciplines to deepen our relationship with God in the journey toward Easter Day. Deepening one’s prayer practices. Broadening one’s observance of Bible reading for study and for edification. Experiencing the tradit...
What or Who is God? In our first sermon of Lent, Pastor Charles and I introduced the concept of God as Beingness, or Is-ness. Let me explore this concept in just a little more depth, with the understanding that entire libraries could be filled with books on the nature of God. When Moses encounters God in the wilderness, God takes the for...
Thoughts on Reality As many of you no doubt know by now, I will soon be reappointed to another church and leave here at the end of June. As I prepare to let go, I pondered as to the subjects of my blogs during Lent. My sermons, articles for The Carillon, and blogs have generally addressed subjects or issues I thought were beneficial in s...
Let’s Give Our Kids the Best Year Ever… 3 New Year’s Resolutions All Parents Should Make This Year I know you want this year to be the best year ever for your child. Here are three New Year’s resolutions to consider. Resolution#1: To be a non-anxious presence for your children Any loving parent, who wants the best for their child, worrie...
As a member of the American Guild of Organists, I receive a monthly magazine that is full of articles about organists. Some of the articles are about specific composers and even very specific pieces of music, some of the articles are newsy about recitals and other various organ related events, and many of the articles are about church mu...
In a recent sermon in our "Hope for Frantic Families," I quoted a set of questions the Society of Friends (commonly called "Quakers") use to uncover God's truth in our hearts regarding home and family life. These questions, or ones like them, have been used by the Society for hundreds of years. I have used them in my own life, and for me...
I am writing from the beach of Penang, Malaysia. Penang is also called Pearl of the Orient. It is known mainly for its beaches and food. It so happens that I am also originally from Penang, Malaysia. Here, on the beach of Teluk Bahang, I see a rich blend of cultures, different ethnic groups, different age groups and people of different r...
Frequently, I end up like Martha. There is so much to do and attend to that I neglect the most important matters in life. Although Jesus was at Martha's home, she did not stop what she was doing to be with Jesus. Unlike Martha, Mary stopped everything and sat at Jesus' feet to be completely and without distraction with Jesus. Mary was fu...
Just this week I received thanks for various pieces of music in the worship service, from the Mozart vocal solo to the choir anthem of “River of Judea” to the organ gathering music selection. When the handbells played “Dona Nobis Pacem” for worship when the bishop was with us, one person was very moved because it was her favorite song. S...
“Who put the bop in the bop-she-bop-she-bop?” That song has been running through my head all morning. It was already there when I woke up. I have no idea why; I haven’t heard it in ages. For some reason, over the past six months or so, songs that were popular when I was growing up have been popping into my mind at unexpected times. There...
Award winning singer, Mariah Carey was poised to lead the United States into 2017 for the new year. Lights, camera, action beamed from New York City and Times Square. The music blasted into the midnight air, and something unexpected happened. The instrumentals and Mariah’s voice did not match. She said something about not being able to h...
On the night h e was arrested, Jesus inwardly grappled with the enormity of what confronted him. Although he had been born for this very outcome, it became painfully clear that he could avoid being shamed, tortured, falsely accused, and abandoned. All he had to do was choose to leave - walk away from his ministry and disciples and the au...
December 21, 2016 As I write, the sun has left the sky and the world outside my window is dark. Here in the mountains, away from other buildings, the darkness is not broken by man-made lights. And on this winter’s night, the moon and stars are hidden from view by snow clouds. This darkness is gentle when compared to the darkness of suffe...