That's the title. And that's about as far as I've gotten on my sermon for Sunday. Well, ok, that's not entirely true. I've read the texts for this week: Isaiah 58:1-12 and Matthew 5:13-20. Isaiah and Jesus offer startling definitions of righteousness - of how God wants people to live. And I've read some commentary on those …
Category: Christianity
Inspiring generosity
“You ask me how I know my Savior lives? He lives…in the hearts and thus the actions of the people of Woodridge UMC!” Ok, so maybe the old hymn doesn’t go exactly like that, but it certainly could. Rarely have I been so excited to share a story! Last week’s Administrative Council (the top, decision …
Can we talk?
I need to ask you a question. It is, admittedly, a slightly impertinent question. But first, a quick story. I’m guessing this will sound familiar to many of you. As a dad, there are a number of conversations with our kids that I find myself having over and over. Which is to be expected, right? …
“…Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan…”
“Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17 “During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we rededicate ourselves to preventing and ending human trafficking, and we recognize all who continue to fight this serious human rights violation,” declared President Obama as he proclaimed January …
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A little something to help Haiti
On Wednesday this week, 30 dedicated youth and adults from our church traveled to Aurora to work at Feed My Starving Children. FMSC is a Christian non-profit dedicated to providing food for, well, children starving all over the globe. They currently send food to over 70 countries. All the meals they send are hand packed …
Anne’s House and shocking proximity
According to the author of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus began his public ministry with a reading from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to bring good news to the poor…to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…” Then Jesus declared …
Continuing the anti-bullying conversation
A friend of mine watched the video of my Oct. 10 sermon online and declared, “the best part was when you said ‘Amen’ and the clapping commenced – you were shocked and awed with love!” I’d say that was exactly right: both that I was awed by the loving response and that was the best …
Speaking Out: Clergy Against Bullying and Anti-Gay Violence
Thanks to a link on Twitter from Kimberly Knight, I became aware of this Clergy Against Bullying petition. In tone and message, the petition is a companion to my Oct. 10 sermon. I encourage you to go read the whole thing (it's not that long, especially as joint statement press releases go). Here's the opening …
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My sermon from Oct. 10, 2010: Settling In & Coming Out
As I wrote previously, the sermon I gave at my church (Woodridge UMC) garnered quite the reaction. I've never been more scared about the possible reaction to a sermon. I've never been more gratified by a response. 6 dead kids is 6 too many. Anti-gay bullying must stop. All bullying must stop. Every human being …
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More good thoughts on anti-gay bullying
There is no joking around about this one: I'm furious. And my heart is shattered. 6 teens from across the country dead at their own hand. 6 teens dead at their own hand because they were mercilessly bullied. 6 kids bullied, 6 kids dead because they were gay. And those are just the ones we …
All That I Can't Leave Unsaid 