https://youtu.be/eV5CuE-t8-s https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-36u6d-15f5c52 In this bonus episode, I revisit an interview with Joy Moore, a professor of biblical preaching at Luther Seminary. We discussed reconciliation amid societal divisions. Moore shares stories illustrating the challenges of reconciliation and stresses the importance of finding common ground across racial divides. referencing instances like Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis working... Continue Reading →
A Knock at the Door
When I think about the recent horrific shooting of young Ralph Yarl, a young black man who went to the wrong house to pick up his siblings and was shot by an elderly white man, my thoughts go to a similar experience I went through growing up and also to my late elderly father. Let me... Continue Reading →
Black Lives Really Matter
Do Black Lives Matter to Jesus? Some of you might not like the answer.
To the Church at Lake Wobegon
Dear Friends and Family of First Christian Church of St. Paul: Last week in the immediate aftermath of the killing of George Floyd I decided to go for a walk. We live in North Minneapolis. It was a nice sunny day, perfect day for a walk. "Be careful," my husband Daniel said as I left.... Continue Reading →
Blood Cries Out
Race relations are better than they were 60 years ago. Ahmaud Arbery reminds us all there is still more to be done to combat racism.
Sermon: SyrophonecianLivesMatter
The following was preached in 2015. Mark 7:24-37 Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost September 5, 2015 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN Listen to the sermon. When I was in high school I was cross country for two years. I enjoyed running, but I wasn’t the fastest guy in the world. I was less a gazelle than... Continue Reading →
Sermon: How Many Lights Do You See?
Acts 2:37-42 Tenth Sunday After Pentecost Sacraments Series August 13, 2017 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN Listen to the sermon here. Good science fiction should be able to talk about a present issue dressed in futuristic garb. Star Trek has been able to do that for most of its 50 years of existence. There is... Continue Reading →
Progressive Christian and Trump Voters
The first day or two after the election I decided to contact friends and acquaintences of mine who had voted for Donald Trump. I wanted to apologize if I said anything off-putting to them. To a person, all of them were gracious and even told me why they considered voting for Trump. I took their... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Trouble In Lake Wobegon
“Trouble in Lake Wobegone” Luke 10:25-37 and Romans 14:1-18 Seventh Sunday After Pentecost July 10, 2016 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN Listen to the Sermon. It could have been me. That is what I thought early Thursday morning, as I groggily woke and checked Facebook. There were some news reports of a police shooting... Continue Reading →
Life in Black and Blue
Crime is increasing Trigger happy policing Panic is spreading God know where we're heading Oh, make me wanna holler They don't understand -Inner City Blues, Marvin Gaye For the second time in two days we have heard of another police shooting of an African American. Tuesday saw the killing of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge,... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 