“Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told [Jesus] about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. ” (Mark 1:30-31) Hi Fighter, Why can’t I heal people like that? I lost my dear friend, Elias, […]
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God. “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22) Hi Fighter, It’s the first Sunday after Christmas – that not-quite-so-special time when the magic of the Yuletide season starts to fade and when everything starts to return
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Finding the Infinite in the Everyday Read More »
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing, and when was it that we saw you sick
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Did Jesus really say that? Read More »
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it,
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Get Behind me, Satan Read More »
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
The Paradox of Power Read More »
“He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field” (Matthew 13:31) Thus begins the Parable of the Mustard Seed, which is one of a series of short stories featured in this week’s Gospel reading from Matthew 13. In sermons past I’ve
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
The Kingdom of Heaven is a Mess Read More »
“God said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” (Genesis 22:2) Greetings, Fighter. So begins the story of Abraham’s journey to sacrifice of his son, Isaac. It is
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Fear and Trembling Read More »
“Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet they are not three eternals
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Celebrating the Incomprehensible Read More »
