RoboPreacher

'cause they're sure that there's more The holy Gospel according to St. Mark the 13th chapter ! Like a portent from heaven, a few weeks ago, I received a revelation from the Lord! …It came in the form of a divinely generated playlist! A celestial suggestion to listen to a Nickel Creek song… Now, I know what you’re thinking, but bear with me! Nickel Creek was a band at the forefront of the americana revival in the early aughts. And while you may not be familiar with their work, it’s less likely that you’re unfamiliar with their influence.   For instance, the sound track to the excellent Coen Brother’s film, “ O Brother, Where Art Thou .” You know, with the banjo and fiddle. That’s the americana sound.   And the band leading this revival was a group of musicians barely old enough to vote! The album that finally broke them through to a wider audience was their second, 2000, self-titled album, Nickel Creek.   But, as you’re probably not ...

but i don't wanna die The holy Gospel according to St. Mark the 10th chapter ! This man runs to Jesus and wanting to know what he HAS to do . But , don’t you get the feeling this poor guy has been running his entire life? …Right now a few of us are reading “Seculosity,” and one of the author’s points is that you can tell when effort is being exerted in religion, in whatever the form, by looking out for anxiety .   Which, sadly , seems to be the case all too often. It certainly rings true for this man.   Eventually we will be told he had a lot . But, as it turns out, none of that was enough to allay his anxiety about the future . He runs up to Jesus, desperate to find out what he needs to do to make sure his future is in order .   “ What MUST I DO to inherit eternal life,” he asks. Jesus, though, doesn’t seem too interested in discussing such questions.   First, he takes issue with the designation the man uses to a...

as everything else will disappoint you A sermon on Jesus' ethic and & parable of forgiveness : Isn’t it strange how what we need the MOST, is ALSO what hardest for us to give? …I’m talking about forgiveness , of course. …Let’s get at this by way of reflection; let’s take thirty seconds to remember a time we were forgiven . Not because we deserved it, but simply because we needed it. Okay? Okay. Go! … *Wasn’t that nice to think about?   Take a little extra time and just soak in how good it feels to remember that. To experience it all, all over again… Okay. Now, think of something YOU need to be forgiven.   It can be something recent or long ago. Whatever jumps to your mind. Since we will all have plenty we need to be forgiven, and our sin is always accusing us; I’m only going to give us fifteen seconds this time. Okay? Okay. Go… … Well, that’s a little less pleasant to remember, isn’t it? But , I want you to hold un...

transform my tragedy A sermon for Ash Wednesday on Matthew 18:1-9 Once a year, at least , our scar shows up. …Do you have any scars?   Are they especially visible ?   If they are I bet you’ve gotten comfortable having to explain your scar. Because that’s the thing about scars, isn’t it? They show something we usually like to keep hidden… But once a year, our scar shows up. “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” …If we’re being honest, it’s little uncomfortable . Isn’t it? To have our scar show up . And in such a public place. If nothing else it makes for an intimate evening. Doesn’t it?   …All of us walking around with our scars showing .   I’ve come to learn, too, that intimate is the right word.   It’s not a somber night. Is it? It’s not morose. It’s intimate . All of us seeing   each other for how we really are; scarred . …Sometimes on Christmas Eve I will talk about seeing ea...

i'm getting so old The Holy Gospel according to St. John the 11th chapter! Today, instead of some passage about Jesus in the wilderness for forty days, or some epistle calling us to endure , we have Jesus raising the dead.   It’s only the first week of Lent; Ash Wednesday was just four days ago; and Jesus is already up to Easter! Before I’ve had a chance to build the suspense, Jesus gives the punchline! Before you’ve had a chance to try and keep a lenten fast, Jesus brings the feast! In fact, if I’m right, Jesus is beating Walgreens to the punch! Even corporate America knows it’s too early to get into the Easter business!   And that’s the problem for us , isn’t it? Because for us, the old saying still holds true, “timing is everything.”   Our lives are lived racing against the clock. Or, waiting on it. * In fact, I know for a lot of us, spring can’t come soon enough. This winter has been rough, and we’re ready for it to be over. B...