RoboPreacher

*It was my turn to write a (very) mini-devotional for the local paper. These devotions appear in a special section titled "Walk with God." I had some fun playing with the theme to do a little Lutheran theology (& taking easy shots at retailers). Once again November has pounced upon us! November comes heralding many deadlines. This month trumpets the deadlines of the end of the year, as well as the deadlines to get everything done before the holidays come crashing in. (They always seem to be crashing in earlier and earlier, no doubt to extend the shopping season. In fact, there is an interesting discrepancy between the images of quiet nights at home with family that are sold by the same corporations that extend their shopping season to overlap those potentially quiet nights...) During this busy season we find ourselves running, running, running; with little or no time for a leisurely walk, much less a walk with God. So it is in the midst of busy schedules, ...

for reformation sunday I'd like to quickly go over all the questions we've considered for our stewardship month. *Begin Slide Show* The first question was: "Where has God multiplied blessings in your life;" Then it was, "When was a time God used what you had to bless others;" Next we thought about, "When was a time you were afraid you didn't have enough but God provided;" And finally our question this week is, "What do you have to offer that God can multiply to bless others." *Slide show cuts to Martin Luther* Luther: Here we are, sitting here, and God is making saints of us! AH! Me: No way! ...This can't be. Luther: Indeed, sin boldly. Yes sin boldly; but trust all the more boldly! Me: Woah! How lucky are we?!?! This incredible screen has done it again! Today we get to chat with Martin Luther himself! Luther: Who said that?!?! Me: Luther, over here! Luther: What is this?!?! Me: Trut...

i got a girl in the war The Holy Gospel according toSt. Luke the 18th Chapter! It's interesting, I was thinking of using the song Hal played today (We Shall Overcome) as a kind of meditation, but eventually I decided to use this great poem by Langston Hughes; Lorraine Hansberry used it as inspiration for her brilliant play, "Raisin in the Sun." The poem goes like this: What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up / like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore / and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat, Or crust and sugar over / like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags / Like a heavy load. Or does it explode... This poem, and its final wondering in the dark, have served many as they sought to navigate their way through pain, through trials. And truthfully this poem can still be of service, and can serve as a kind of meditation upon today's gospel. Because truthfully, Jesus just has this way of breaking our hearts, of ...

is that it makes like unfair   The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 17th chapter! Well, we're in the middle of our stewardship emphasis, again. This is something you all at Trinity have been doing for quite a while, and it must be said, is something that you do well.   But again, for another year, we focus on stewardship. And when you notice the fact that this is a regular thing for us, you wonder two things nearly immediately. First, what else can be said about this topic, about stewardship. And second, if we're so familiar with this topic, how come there is still a certain amount of discomfort whenever someone mentions stewardship... The truth, though, is that stewardship is so central to faith that the topic can never be exhausted; so the question of our discomfort about stewardship is the real one.   Now, I've heard some say we're uncomfortable with stewardship because, obviously, it deals with money. Truthfully, though,...