THE SCANDAL OF RECOVERY A Sermon on Mark 9:38-50 When I turned eighteen, I thought I was a real man. An oldest son and high school graduate with honors, I enrolled in a prestigious university, on full scholarship.  Now . . . I’d been invited to join a fraternity! I also joined another well-known, unofficial […]

WELCOME THE CHILDREN OF GOD: Part One A Sermon on Mark 9:30-37 Last week, while I was getting ready to leave my house in Memphis and visit a clergy friend who is now in hospice, I decided I needed to spend some time in prayer.  I sat down to pray.  Soon after I had become […]

CONSTANTLY CALLED TO CONVERSION A Sermon on Mark 7:24-30 Have you met Tux?  Tux is a new member of Rosa’s family.  Tux is young and small and friendly.  Sometimes, Tux comes to work with Rosa.  When Tux wags that tail, I want to pet Tux.  But right now, Tux is teething.  That means Tux likes […]

BECOMING WISE A Sermon on Proverbs 9:6 Be silent, still, aware. For here in the midst of us the Spirit is at prayer. Knock, and open.  Seek, and find. Heart wisdom. Christ. AMEN.  That prayer was introduced to me by Jim Fenhagen, Dean of General Theological Seminary while I was a student there.  Jim prayed […]

BROKEN FOR ME, BROKEN FOR YOU A Sermon on John 6:56-69 Broken for me, broken for you / The body of Jesus, broken for you.  I like to sing the Lord’s Prayer on Sunday.  When we do, I  remember the Fisherfolk.  “Fisherfolk” was a stage name for musical artists who are also part of a […]

ANGER BEFORE SUNDOWN A Sermon on Ephesians 4:25-5:2 And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love. It is my great privilege and pleasure to be with all of you today in this sacred place and community called Ascension.  I am grateful to […]