For a bunch of professional fishermen – well accustomed to being out on the water, presumably in all kinds of weather, the Lord’s apostles sure spend a lot of time panicking over stormy seas. The only non-anxious presence in these choppy, gale-force Gospel circumstances is always Jesus, the landlubbing carpenter. Thus comes this morning’s ScriptureContinue reading “Be at Peace, Simply Be”
Category Archives: Sermons
Never Alone, Never Forgotten
Here’s an understatement: Moses did not have an easy job. The Old Testament prophet led God’s people from slavery in Egypt, guiding perhaps two million of them to freedom through the parted waters of the Red Sea, then endured 40 years trying to corral the rebellious and stiff-necked bunch on a meandering trek through theContinue reading “Never Alone, Never Forgotten”
Called to New Places
Get thee gone! That striking command is the first word that the Lord offers in this morning’s Scripture lesson: Go, leave! Hit the road, Jack! How harsh and jarring that must have sounded to its intended audience, the elderly Abram and his equally mature wife, Sarai. Why would they want to go anywhere? Abram andContinue reading “Called to New Places”
Maybe You’re a Late Bloomer
Not often does a true prophet of God end up red-faced in embarrassment. But indeed, the author of our Scripture lesson, the Old Testament’s Jeremiah, is walking around with egg on his face. In the lead-up to this passage, a prophetic wannabe named Hananiah delivers what he declares to be a true revelation from God. HananiahContinue reading “Maybe You’re a Late Bloomer”
A Firm Foundation
Of the many images that capture the poignancy of my ministry in Waukon is this photo taken on the south lawn of Oakland Cemetery. That’s me and my friend Chrissy Good from Martin funeral home leading the procession that carried the body of longtime member Brad Krambeer to its place of earthly rest until theContinue reading “A Firm Foundation”
In the Sign of the Cross
Over a simple evening meal at a Dubuque-area monastery, a small group of seasoned pastors compared notes on the current state of Christ’s Church. Surely among the sharing were joys and blessings of Spirit-inspired ministry happening in each of our respective congregations. But so also shared were myriad concerns over the changing nature of congregationalContinue reading “In the Sign of the Cross”
Remember When, Remember Now
The old photograph bears a simple label: “Scene at Waukon.” So it’s unlikely that the photographer specifically intended to capture First Presbyterian Church. Nevertheless he (or she) froze a long-ago moment in time here in our neighborhood. The date was November 9, 1913. Earlier that year, Woodrow Wilson – a lifelong Presbyterian – was inauguratedContinue reading “Remember When, Remember Now”
Anticipation
If you are of a certain age, then you well remember singer Carly Simon’s hit song of 1971, “Anticipation.” Its lyric refrain, “Anticipation is making me wait,” even made its way into a years-long series of TV commercials hawking ketchup. The ads used the song to build suspense, showing ketchup slowly dripping from a glassContinue reading “Anticipation”
Mary Magdeline and Simon Peter
On that first Easter morning, Mary Magdalene felt lost and alone. She had loved Jesus with a holy passion, but now Mary’s deep affection for her beloved felt estranged. Then suddenly her fortunes changed! Outside that Empty Tomb, on that first day of resurrection, she became the first to witness the salvation of the world.Continue reading “Mary Magdeline and Simon Peter”
A Closed Room and Thomas
The Lord’s resurrection was still “breaking news.” The empty tomb remained the talk of the town. And the apostles – filled with anxiety, their fear of human enemies proving far stronger than any hopeful word of an empty tomb – self-sequestered behind hefty doors. Then suddenly into their secretive huddle bursts Jesus to deliver aContinue reading “A Closed Room and Thomas”