Because Lent is a time when we tend to talk a lot about sin, I endeavored on Sunday to explain my framework for thinking about sin. It differs from things we might have heard growing up in a modern American Christian context, whether Catholic or Evangelical. In the spirit of this church’s emphasis on questioning and conversation, I am not …
Walking, Running, and Soaring
I recently started marathon training. The program I’m using requires me to run five days each week, totaling anywhere from thirty to eighty miles. There is rarely a day when my legs don’t feel either sore or just dead, useless slabs of meat. Each day, it is hard to go out for that day’s run. The first mile is hard. …
Calling Again: An Apology
I didn’t do a very good job last Sunday. I’m sorry. Ironically, the service was primarily about vocational call, so I spent a good bit of my opening proclaiming how pleased I am with my call and, by implication, how well-suited I am to it. Then, as someone was speaking, I realized I was utterly unprepared to respond. In my …
Carnival Cancelled! (Plus: Vote on the Budget!)
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 …