Here is a sermon Barbara and I delivered at the Hudson UMC on December 4: (sorry about the formatting) Dan Oh, man, I cannot believe it is December already! This year has just flown by. Barbara I know, and it isn’t going to get any better. I have two projects that absolutely MUST […]
We frequent and traditional church-goers can sometimes forget that Christmas is not a joyous and wonderful time for all concerned. In my own ministry, I dealt with two Christmas suicides, and numerous individuals for whom Christmas brought sorrow and deep loss. In one of the New Jersey churches I served, […]
Twenty years ago, I was given a wonderful opportunity. A Vanderbilt seminary professor took ill and I was asked to fill in for almost five weeks in a class that explored, among other things, the liturgical year. It was one of the most freeing and enjoyable experiences of my life. […]
Ah, another Advent. The pressing question is: are we ready? Or maybe the pressing question is: do we even care? Our United Methodist Church can’t seem to be bothered with preparing for a Savior; we are too busy focusing on divisive issues of morality grounded in abominable biblical misinterpretation and […]
Deserve — origin: “to devote oneself to the service of“ In the past few days I have heard people use the term “deserve/deserving” in troubling and distressing ways. In all cases, those identified either “deserved” something bad, or were “undeserving” of something good. In no case was the thought that […]
At what point do differences become irreconcilable? Visualize a normal bell-curve. At each extreme, there are polarized, immovable positions. Three to five percent are so committed to being right and having their own way, that they no longer engage in any interaction that might influence their opinion. These opponents are […]
Like many, I am trying to make sense of the tragedy in Orlando. But I confess, as I talk to people and listen to different perspectives, I am embarrassed and ashamed. Well meaning, kind, caring people are inadvertently being callous and insensitive. I am going to speak from my own […]
When we look at the marvelous work of God’s hands, the majesty of God’s creation, who are we that God should care for us? Who are we? Who do we think we are? We have spent millions of dollars, hundreds of hours, personal time and energy to hold a religious […]
I am one small, lonely, lowly voice in a large mass (mob?) of United Methodists. One person cannot speak for the whole, but I want to engage in just such a thought exercise. I want to “test the house,” as it were. Here is my supposition about what WE ALL […]
Last Day. The End of Times. Don’t count on Jesus coming back any time soon. If he is anything like most of the delegates to this year’s General Conference, it may take him a few days to recover. There has been so much attention (I’m as guilty as anyone) on […]
