I was listening to a preacher on the excellent podcast, Working, and he talked about his preparations for Sunday. Even though our contexts are quite different, his process was very familiar. He said that you start with either a Scripture or an idea. Once you figure out which one you have, you go get the other one. That’s probably something …
Tell Me a Story
I’ve been kind of stumped this week about what to say, both here in this message and on Sunday. You would think it would be easy. This week we celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptizer and remember our own baptisms. For everything I love about Church in the Cliff, there is some ambivalence about the trappings of …
And Now for Something Completely Different
Christmas, as I’m sure you know, is, for Christians, a celebration of the birth of Jesus. He was born a helpless baby, in poverty, on the road, and threatened by an evil empire. Next Tuesday we will celebrate Epiphany, the day when the Wise Ones arrived with gifts and named Jesus as King. This is the story that we tell …
Christmas Carol Breakfast
I will be brief. We’re leaving town in a few hours. I will be out this Sunday for a whirlwind tour of our families. The truth is, I’m sad to miss this Sunday. One of the things that Church in the Cliff does well is that we adjust to the moment. It has been a very busy time with the …
Love and Light
We will have two services Sunday. Plus a post-evening-service feast. Plus getting the building ready. Plus the holidays. Plus a surprise appearance by my dog jumping through yet another window. It’s a busy time. I don’t know if I will get it all done or how it will all turn out. Advent is a time of waiting, a time of …
Rejoice! (Plus: A Note from the Board!)
People might not guess that I suffer from depression because I laugh a lot. In fact, I know a lot of depressed people who laugh a lot. Perhaps a bleak outlook makes us really appreciate the moments of joy. We wring out every drop. This week of Advent is dedicated to joy. As I’ve mentioned, Advent is a time of …
Peace in the Season
This is the Advent week of peace, but I have to admit that I have not felt at peace. Advent is supposed to be a month of preparation for the Light coming into the world. We are to hope and find peace and joy and love one another. Most of us are consumed with the logistics of holiday travel and …
Judgment Turns to Hope
Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. It’s easy to jump forward to the birth of the little baby Jesus and the star and the wise ones bearing gifts. We’ll soon be decorating our homes with twinkly, sparkly things and hear the golden voice of Johnny Mathis floating through the halls. But during Advent, we wait and we work. …
Sheep and Goats
Our series on the Rapture culminates this Sunday in what is traditionally known as “Christ the King” Sunday. This is not language we typically use at Church in the Cliff. It is hierarchical and patriarchal and we prefer more expansive and inclusive images of God. However, this highlights some of the things we’ve been talking about with Rapture theology. As …
Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave…
I did not have a Scofield Reference Bible growing up. Apparently, my church was very neglectful in getting me my copy when I was baptized. Over the years, as I’ve read analysis of dispensationalism, I’ve heard about the Scofield and its use, but never had one to which I might refer. I remedied that this past week with the purchase …