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God’s Grace is Much Bigger Than Suicide
A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post in response to the suicide of Rick Warren’s child. I still stand by my belief that people who commit suicide do not go to hell. Today in this community, a high...
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Affirming All Women in Church on Mother’s Day
“Women will be saved through childbearing.” — 1 Timothy 2:15 For some, motherhood has given purpose to your life. God has called to you be a mother, and you are living out your call in this sacred...
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The Spoon Theory and Churches
People with chronic illnesses are familiar with the Spoon Theory, an illustration of restricted energy. In her writing, Christine Miserandino describes her limited energy by giving her friend twelve...
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Mortality and Kindness
After watching the final episode of The Big C last evening, I reflected on how people will sometimes make peace on their deathbeds. ***Spoiler Alert*** In the final hours of her life, Cathy, the main...
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Where the Imperfect and Perfect Meet
Reflecting on Sunday mornings as a pastor, I know I try to recall all of the announcements, prayer requests and logistical worship comments. Guess what? Even with writing myself notes I still forget...
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Is Any Prayer Stupid?
Five years ago, during my time in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as a chaplain, I made it one of my goals to become better at praying out loud. Now, until that point, I never felt confident in my...
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Sermon: Clean or Unclean? We’re All One.
This sermon was delivered at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Old Blue Rock Road, Cincinnati on June 16, 2013. Luke 7:36-8:3 Galatians 2:11-21 Back in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. said that the 11...
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Shame is Humanity’s Worst Illness
Recently, Melissa Etheridge called out Angelina Jolie’s choice to have a double-mastectomy as “fearful.” Etheridge commented that nutrition and stress cause cancer to begin in the body. Unfortunately,...
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General Synod Lesson #1 – - You Can’t Do Everything!
Here I am at the United Church of Christ General Synod day 2. Exhaustion is already coming upon me, but I think much of it is due to time change. Or maybe it’s information overload. Anyway, I’m...
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General Synod Lesson #2 – - Seeing the True Diversity of the UCC
There is no one unified Christianity. (Note: There never has been. See Christian history.) Now, others in the faith believe there is one true belief. There is one way to salvation. There is one way to...
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Churches in the Tomb
Completely void of light. Darkness envelops us. There is no way to our old lives, but we can’t find our way to resurrection… I wonder if many of our churches are stuck in the tomb. Holy Saturday won’t...
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It Doesn’t Matter What You Wear…
Photo from People.com I just read an article on People Magazine’s website that Britney Spears wore thigh high boots and a tight dress as she went to church on Sunday morning. Her hair wasn’t perfectly...
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Sermon: Living in the Scarcity Mindset
This sermon was delivered on August 4, 2013 at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Old Blue Rock Road, Cincinnati. A study was reported this week that 30 percent of mothers have struggled to purchase...
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A Meal with the Past
Who knew a Cheerios commercial could stir something within me and theologically warm in my heart… The commercial features young boy asking his mom if Nana poured Cheerios for her when she was young....
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Thank You Notes
Confession: I’m not the greatest at sending thank you notes. Granted, I will call, Facebook or email my sentiments of gratitude to the person. But hand-written notes are not my strength. I believe it...
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Reintegration of Gluten
This post is a personal reflection on where I am today. I’ve had to reintegrate gluten into my diet. Next week, I will be having a endoscopy and colonoscopy in order to check on my gastrointestinal...
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Veering from the Christian Brand
I’ve never been one to follow the “Christian” brand. Sure, I’ve read a few of the Left Behind books, seen one or two Kirk Cameron movies and listened to some Michael W. Smith in my time. (I actually...
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Coveting Thy Neighboring Pastor’s Church
Clergy: when was the last time you thought to yourself, “If only I could be more like Pastor B or Pastor S? Then I’d have more members/greater attendance/higher giving levels/etc.” For many of us, I...
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Are We Helping the “Widows”?
Do we really help the widows and orphans? Now let me reframe who today’s widows are: single moms/parents. Any of them. They could have become a single parent because of the death of spouse, divorce...
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Losing Our Communal Sabbath This Thanksgiving
I’m sickened by the number of corporations forcing their employees to work today. Now, I understand that places with medication or gas need to be open for those in need. Some physicians, nurses,...
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