* a sermon given at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on December 24, 2015 * Text: Luke 1:1-20 *************** Merry Christmas, y’all! Please pray with me, as we ponder this mysterious gift we’ve been given: Holy God, you’ve given us a tremendous gift, you’ve given us yourself. As the Light shatters the darkness, break into our lives once again. Amen. … Continue reading Gift-Giving
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on January 25, 2015 * Text: Matthew 5:13-14 *************** Let us pray: Living God, Sometimes vital signs are faint, And we can’t see seedlings beginning to sprout. Give us your creative vision for the world, That we may participate in its restoration. Amen. *************** I have a … Continue reading Signs of Life
Tonight you should invite someone over for dinner. No, seriously. Have a twelfth night party, play host or hostess, and have someone for dinner in your house as the Holy Family welcomed the Magi. Then sit around the table, eat, and learn from them. Share wisdom together. Share this sacred space together. And if you … Continue reading Advent Devotional: Monday, January 5: Twelfth Day of Christmas
Read John 1:1-5 “A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.” These words from John feel more true to me now than maybe at any other point in my life. Not in the sense that I’m having some deep existential struggle within myself, but I look at our world, and … Continue reading Advent Devotional: Thursday, December 18: O Adonai
A small bit of light changes things. A small bit of light can be hope. And perhaps a small bit of light can simply be a reminder to a dark room to turn on the light. Saint Lucy—Santa Lucia—is a wonderful confluence of histories. She’s Italian by heritage, yet so embraced by Scandinavia that they … Continue reading Advent Devotional: Saturday, December 13: Feast Day of Santa Lucia
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on December 7, 2014 * Text: Isaiah 42:1-9 As we consider these words from Isaiah, and the world in which we live, please pray with me. God of all things; God of life; God of peace; God of justice; Come soon… Amen. I was a camp … Continue reading Lights Out
the narrow way 