When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38 NRSV From the beginning … Continue reading Harvest time
Reflections on Scripture
Praise in surrender
“Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” Mark 7:6-8 NRSV In this brief passage Jesus is speaking … Continue reading Praise in surrender
Oh, to walk with Christ
John 14:25-26 NRSV “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” Have you ever read the Gospels and wondered what it would have … Continue reading Oh, to walk with Christ
Passing the test
His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord kept testing him. Psalm 105:18-19 NRSV Most of us, at some point, have an idea of how we want life to go. And then life happens, and it can … Continue reading Passing the test
Its name is love
I was very honored today to deliver a sermon on Christian unity, below, at the historic St. Stephen AME Church in Enid, Oklahoma. We had six ministers, including myself, preach on Matthew 24:14 in this ecumenical service. For a budding Episcopal lay preacher to have the opportunity to preach alongside pastors who have been in … Continue reading Its name is love
Praise in faith
I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2 NRSV This passage is the beginning of a beautiful psalm in which David praises God for saving him from a terrible illness. David, who felt … Continue reading Praise in faith
Against all odds
Genesis 21:5-7 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old … Continue reading Against all odds
Many parts, One function
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 … Continue reading Many parts, One function
The depths within
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5 NRSV I … Continue reading The depths within
Putting things in order
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 11 NRSV Depending on which source you cite, Christianity today includes about 30,000 different denominations, divided along lines of doctrine, liturgy, culture, and nation. … Continue reading Putting things in order
