Monthly Archives: December 2015

BLOG 12/30/15. A REMINDER: CHRIST IS CONTROVERSIAL

BLOG 12/30/15. A REMINDER: CHRIST IS CONTROVERSIAL At the threshold of 2016, let me remind those of you who read these blogs that Jesus Christ is controversial, unquestionably. It was he who gave us the enigmatic statement that he did … Continue reading

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BLOG 12/27/15. LET’S TALK ABOUT SAINTS

BLOG 12/27/15. LET’S TALK ABOUT SAINTS On this Sunday after Christmas, let’s talk about the church’s saints (not the New Orleans Saints, please!). The English word that come’s to us as saint is from a Greek word that has to … Continue reading

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BLOG 12/23/15. I STAND IN AWE OF MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS

BLOG 12/23/15. I STAND IN AWE OF MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS I am compelled, before Christmas, to confess my total awe and amazement which takes place the longer I study the gospel accounts of Jesus’ mother Mary. When one grows … Continue reading

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BLOG 12/20/15. THE HOLY FAMILY: REFUGEES INDEED.

BLOG 12/20/15. THE HOLY FAMILY: REFUGEES INDEED At the beginning of this Christmas week, it might be worthwhile to try to untangle some of the common misunderstandings/myths that have become so much a part of our traditions. Right off the … Continue reading

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BLOG 12/16/15. MINISTERING TO THE ‘LITTLE ONES,’ THE CONFUSED, THE NOBODIES

BLOG 12/16/15. MINISTERING TO THE ‘LITTLE ONES,’ THE CONFUSED, AND THE ‘NOBODIES’ IN THE CHURCH In my weird and eclectic reading, I have been reading Work Rules by Laszlo Bock, who is the Senior Vice President of People Operations at … Continue reading

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BLOG 12/13/15. ARROGANT WEALTH … OR STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE?

BLOG 12/13/15. ARROGANT WEALTH, OR STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE On this third Sunday of Advent I am struck by an easily overlooked contradiction in so much of our celebration. The dominant public media focus of the moment is on loud, wealthy, … Continue reading

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BLOG 12/9/15. GOD’S COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY

BLOG 12/9/15. GOD’S COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY Hey, given all of the hysterical and destructive political rhetoric polluting the media in the aftermath of the Paris and San Bernardino violence, it is worth taking a moment to remember that God’s people are … Continue reading

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BLOG 12/6/15. “COME AND WORSHIP CHRIST THE NEWBORN KING” WHEN AND HOW?

BLOG 12/6/15. “COME AND WORSHIP CHRIST” … WHEN? … AND HOW? Okay, here’s a question: We’re bombarded in this period of the year with all of the images of the birth of Christ, and piped music everywhere extolling us to … Continue reading

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BLOG 12/2/15. WOULD ANYONE VOTE FOR JESUS?

BLOG 12/2/15. WOULD ANYONE VOTE FOR JESUS? A half century ago, before another presidential campaign, the colorful, brilliant, and witty church historian, Martin Marty, wrote something of a crazy and unforgettable article in a national journal about what would happen … Continue reading

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