Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is … Continue reading Answer the call, and be present, in love
We cannot bear the cost of our war culture
There is nothing new under the sun, especially when it comes to our tendency toward war. Reckless and belligerent as our president is, it would be wrong to think our bellicose nature was invented in 2016. Operation Desert Storm, under Bush 41, was, to his credit, a model of broad coalition-building and narrowly defined … Continue reading We cannot bear the cost of our war culture
The Holy Name that Saves
This sermon was delivered for the Feast of the Holy Name, Jan. 1, 2020, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Oklahoma. Today we remember the Feast of The Holy Name, known in other traditions as the Feast of the Circumcision. This feast day recalls the bris for Jesus – the traditional Jewish ceremony in which … Continue reading The Holy Name that Saves
May Christmas transform our hearts and our society
The Christmas season is upon us — in the traditional Church calendar, Christmas began on Dec. 25 and ends at Epiphany on Jan. 6 (followed by the beginning of the Orthodox Christmas season Jan. 7). Regardless of when you believe Christmas begins and ends, the season is, at its best, a time of family, … Continue reading May Christmas transform our hearts and our society
Rocks, bells and our inescapable bonds in humanity
It seems a large portion of our society wants to emulate or, perhaps, become a rock. Not a rock in the sense of the spoiled, hedonistic, “rock star” boobs who populate the covers of tabloids, but rather a rock in the sense they are immovable in their self-reliance. In many ways, this is one of … Continue reading Rocks, bells and our inescapable bonds in humanity
Living at the intersection of faith and science
Astronomy instructor lives out his faith through teaching the astronomical signs of the Nativity ENID, Okla. — For many Americans, faith and science seem incompatible. According to a 2015 Pew Research Study, almost one-third of Americans say science and their personal religious beliefs are in conflict, while 59% say “science and religion often conflict.” But, … Continue reading Living at the intersection of faith and science
Finding inner peace among shadow puppets
What does it look like when we’ve found inner peace? I pondered that question a lot recently, while writing a lay sermon on the topic for church, within the context of Advent. I certainly can’t claim to have a special hold on the topic myself. Admittedly, in the realm of finding inner peace, of not … Continue reading Finding inner peace among shadow puppets
The arc of our politics — sound and fury, signifying nothing
Do you recall the great fight between Tiberius Gracchus and the Senate? The Revolt of the Ciompi? The Iberian Union? The Sepoy Rebellion? No? Not surprising. These events, while critical turning points in the world powers of the day of Rome, Florence, Spain, Portugal and Britain, are mostly forgotten to history. And, so too will … Continue reading The arc of our politics — sound and fury, signifying nothing
The feet of victory
From Morning Prayer: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7 As we await, in Advent, Christ's healing touch on this world, the image of the wounded foot … Continue reading The feet of victory
Advent — Our Journey Back Into the Garden
At this time of year, with Christmas just a few hectic weeks away, any discussion of inner peace may seem abstract at best. If the shopping and cooking and decorating and wrapping and many social obligations don’t get your peace, then a family member is sure to bring up politics at the dinner table and … Continue reading Advent — Our Journey Back Into the Garden
