Pentecost

At Pentecost, it is easy to focus on the drama and weirdness, the wind and fire, speaking in tongues.  It’s exciting!  Unfortunately, it sets up the kinds of questions that dominate conversations about faith in this day and age:  Is it really true?  Did it really happen?  Did it happen this way, with miracles and strange supernatural events?  Those questions …

Up, Up, and Away

Acts 1:6- 11 6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you …

Angels among Us (Sermon and Program)

Program Sermon: Says Who? Introduction So far in this series on angels, we have seen them bring news from God, both good and bad.  They bring news of life and hope where there was only death and despair.  They bring the two-edged sword of judgment: good for the righteous; bad for the wicked.  Sometimes, they bring us news we would …

A Marginal Life

The rabbit-hole that is the Internet seldom leads anywhere of value.  However, in tracing the conflict between the Vatican and the American nuns of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), I was fortunate to find the speech by Laurie Brink that is at the center of the controversy.  In it, she attempts to describe options for those who are …

Old Man Marquis Tells a Story…

About the start of the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, a nice little chunk of green space just up the road. It’s great to be in a church with people who care about the environment and improving our city and neighborhood. Thanks, David!

Angels among Us

After we completed our first sermons in preaching class, the question that most desperately needed to be answered for many was: How do you deal with nerves? Dr. McKenzie’s answer was a bit of a surprise: “When you stand up here, you presume to speak the word of God, so a certain amount of nervousness is appropriate. Fear of God …

When Good News is Bad News (Bonus: A Letter about Sunday’s Vote!)

So far in our look at angels, we have identified one of their defining characteristics as bringers of the good news from God.  For some, we’ve had to work a little harder to find the good news.  News that our beloved has risen from the dead is, on the surface, easier to find joy in than end-times judgment.  But Revelation …