When Our World Turns Upside- Down John 12:1-8 On the radio awhile back, there was a statement made prior to the regular news report “prepare for your world to turn upside-down – details after these messages”. It was actually referring to a transit strike that was looming and I was certain that people’s world would … More When Our World Turns Upside-down – Lent 5
Where Are You Heading? The Need to come to Ourselves Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Frederick Buechner in his book of daily meditations Listening to Your Life talks about self examination during the Lenten season. He says: Jesus went off alone into the wilderness where he spend forty days asking the question what it meant to be … More Where Are You Heading? Lent 4
Turn Your Life Around Luke 13:1-9 Years ago, Paula and I were resource people on the National youth Conference held near Toronto, Ontario. We were responsible for some community building exercises at the beginning of the conference. As I remember, we asked the young people to form groups of eight. Four would form a circle … More Turn Your Life Around – Lent 3
It is Time to Act with Abandon Luke 13:31-35 Opposition is rising against Jesus. Now Jesus is told that Herod is wanting to kill him. The road ahead is dangerous. Jesus knows that to keep going means risk, suffering and possibly death. Yet, he keeps going. He says, “Listen, I’m casting out demons and performing … More To Act With Abandon – Lent 2
Happiness in all the Wrong Places Luke 4:1-13 In the coffee shop awhile ago I happened to catch a snippet of conversation that a couple of people were having about winning the lottery. One said that a friend had won a lottery worth a million dollars last week. He went into work, told the boss … More Happiness in all the Wrong Places-Lent 1
Ash Wednesday Readings Joel 2.1—2, 12—17 Psalm 103.8—18 Refrain The Lord remembers that we are but dust. 2 Corinthians 5.20—6.2(3—10) Matthew 6.1—6, 16—21 I found that preparing material for this Ash Wednesday very difficult – It seemed to be what I have often run into as a preacher, the difference between “having something to say”, … More God Does Not Despise Anything God has Made – Ash Wednesday
Seeing the Light Luke 9:28-36, (37-43) Victor Frankl, the psychiatrist, writing on his experiences in a Nazi prison during the Second World War talks at one point about the effect of seeing the light from a distant farmhouse at dawn. He describes it in this way: We were at work in a trench. The dawn … More Seeing The Light – Transfiguration
THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBILITY Luke 6:27-38 When I watch movies or TV and see a really bad person raising havoc in peoples lives by murder, rape and pillage, (Don’t you like that word? I don’t know what it really means but all the villains all do it) I really want to see he or she get … More The Impossible Possibility -Epiphany 7
Reversal of Fortune Luke 6:17-26 In the Gospel today, Jesus presents us with a reversal of fortune. We tend to think that in our world the greatest blessing that we can receive is gain as much wealth as we can. It is obvious from the number of lottery tickets sold in our society that many … More Reversal of Fortune – Epiphany 6
Arise, Shine, for your Light Has Come Isaiah 60 , Matthew 2:1-12 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. (Isaiah … More Arise , Shine For Your Light has Come – Epiphany
Beyond the Patio 