Blog
Simul Justus et Peccator (Both Righteous and a Sinner)
During today's children's story I argued that the title 'saint' doesn't simply apply to the virtuous or those through whom God has done great things. I claimed that the title 'saint' applies to all those who are trying to follow Jesus. First Corinthians 1:2 states it clearly: “To the church of God in Corinth, to... Read More
Wisdom & Discernment
In today's sermon I argued that the same God who granted Solomon great wisdom, offers wisdom to all God's people who ask for it. As the epistle of James encourages us: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5 NIV). ... Read More
More Than Saying Sorry
In today's sermon I made a comparison between David's liaison with Bathsheba and the abuse and sexual harrassment revealed by the #MeToo movement. While the Bible does not mention rape or coercion in his encounter with Bathsheba, David abused his position. Given his status and power how could Bathsheba say no?... Read More
Unpacking Sunday's Sermon: Rescue at the Sea
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the... Read More
Good People or God's People
This Sunday's lesson spoke about the many promises that God made to Abram that were part and parcel of his call. One promise I found particularly interesting. God says to Abram: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis... Read More
Does God change or not?
In today's sermon I asserted that while human nature was not changed by the Flood, that God changed, determining to respond to ongoing human wickedness with mercy instead of vengeance. I argued that this change could be seen in God's commitment to never again destroy the world with a flood: "Whenever I bring... Read More
The Fear of Scarcity and the Allure of Wealth
For this week's sermon I made an interpretive decision to read the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21) in light of Jesus' subsequent teaching on worry (Luke 12:22-34). Because Jesus followed his story with a sermon on anxiety I inferred that motivation of the Rich Fool was to attempt to purchase security by... Read More
Seeing with the Heart
In Sunday's Bible lesson, 1 John 3:1-7, we were reminded of our identity as God's children and called to express this identity in holy living. As I was preparing the sermon I found it interesting how John spent a considerable amount of time talking about our new God-given identity. He seemed to sense a resistance... Read More
O Canada!
This past weekend a couple people asked me: "What happened to our flags?". Last fall as Session was discussing the purchase of new banners, it was noted that the flags in the sanctuary, in particular the St. Andrew's Cross were in disrepair, literally falling apart. After some discussion Session decided to... Read More
Unpacking Sunday's Sermon: God's Calling in our Senior Years
The past two weeks we have encountered two Biblical characters who saw God's purposes for their lives revealed in their senior years. Abram was 75 when he received God's call to leave to a new land, and set out from Harran (Genesis 12:4). Moses was 80 when he encountered God at the burning bush and was called to... Read More