Jeremiah 32:1-3a,6-15;Psalm 91:1-6,14-16; 1 Tim. 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31 From the introduction to today’s first reading: In the year before Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, when the siege had already begun, Jeremiah, imprisoned in the king's palace, purchased a piece of land. The purchase of the land is a sign of hope that God will restore the people to life in the land after the exile. What would you do if you were Jeremiah? If you were in prison, would you buy a piece of land? … [Read more...]
Get Low
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 Last week my wife & I enjoyed one of the best movies we’ve seen in a long time. It’s called Get Low. Get Low is based on the true story of a hermit living in the hills of Tennessee during the 1930s. Felix Bush is a man that everyone fears. Nobody really knows anything about him because he’s hardly ever seen. One day the local pastor drives out to Felix Bush’s cabin to let him know that one of his few friends had died. … [Read more...]
“Hate” Your Family?
Jeremiah 181-11; Psalm 139:1-6,13-18; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33 On the front page of this morning’s paper is an article about Craigslist. Craigslist is the free online advertising service. Even your church uses Craigslist. We’re trying to sell two burial plots that were gifts to the church. Craigslist has been under attack because of its adult advertising section. Critics have accused Craigslist of promoting prostitution and abuse. In response, this past week Craigslist shut down the … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving for All
Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1-8;15-16; Luke 14:1,7-14 Many of you know that every Thanksgiving the good people of St. Anthony’s Parish in Renton host a meal for the community. You don’t have to make reservations. Just show up. Some community meals at Thanksgiving are specifically for homeless people. It’s a good thing. But the Thanksgiving meal at St. Anthony’s really is for everyone. There is no special seating. Old or young, rich or poor—all are welcome. As the writer of … [Read more...]
Inception
Isaiah 61:1-11; Psalm 34:1-9; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 1:46-55 You may have seen the movie Inception. It’s the story of people who make their living by helping groups of people experience the same dream while they’re sleeping. They use a machine that connects each person to the others. The point of sharing the same dream is not entertainment; in the dream, people work together to influence events in the real world. But the most important story in the movie is about the relationship of a young … [Read more...]
Center of the Universe
Isaiah 1:1,10-20; Ps. 50:1-8,22-23; Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16; Luke 12:32-40 16. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17. learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. 18. Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Let us pray... Two weeks ago I met my … [Read more...]
Spirit of Gratitude
Hosea 11:1-11; Psalm 107:1-9,43; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21 As my teammates & I stood at the top of Mt. Rainier last Saturday morning, our lead guide looked at us & smiled. We’d reached our goal, the summit of Mt. Rainier. But then he said: Congratulations--you’re half-way there! He was right. Over the past two days we’d climbed 9000’ vertical feet. Now, even though we were exhausted, we had to descend in one day 9000 vertical ft. to Paradise Visitor Center, where we’d begun our … [Read more...]
The Guy in the Ditch
Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37 How many people know what the Good Sam Club is? Maybe you’ve seen the bumper sticker with the smiling guy, a halo over his head? It’s the nation’s largest RV club. “Good Sam,” of course, refers to Good Samaritan. The story of the Good Samaritan is so well known, even by non-Christians, that we forget the point of the story. If I were to ask anyone on the street, Christians included, what being a Good Samaritan means, what would … [Read more...]
Servant Power
2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians 6:1-16; Luke 10:1-11,16-20 I’d like to thank you for your care for the Rystrom family this past week. I’d also like to thank you for welcoming Pr. Martha Myers last Sunday. I was away for continuing education these past two weeks. Last Sunday I was able to worship with my family. Unlike you, I don’t get the chance very often to visit other churches on Sunday morning so I was grateful for the opportunity. This Sunday, of course, happens to fall on … [Read more...]
“Wacko”
1 Kings 19:1-15a; Psalm 42-43; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39 Last week one of you said to me, I don’t think I really know you, but I’d like to. You never know what little thing might turn into sermon! I could say the same thing about the person who spoke those words: I don’t think I really know you. The truth is, any of us could say something similar about anyone else. Even those we know & love—we can’t really say we know them well. Only God knows our full stories. Two thousand … [Read more...]