Anabaptist and Quaker essays, sermons, and other writings
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” In John 16:20-22, Jesus gives an example of a difficult experience that ends in comfort and joy. The intensity of labor seems like it will never end, but new life lies on the other side. In Revelation 7:13-17, the martyrs […]
In 2017, I was blessed to be able to travel to Europe for the third time in my life. My first trip was in early 2005, when a companion and I went to visit a relative who was studying at the University of Uppsala in Sweden, and from there spent […]
A friend recently asked me to name three things I’d want from a faith community. I think it’s an excellent query for every Christian to ponder. But my first response was, “What would the Lord want me to want?” and I think that’s a better question. It took a few […]
As we dive in, let me remind everyone that we are preaching through the narrative lectionary, meaning that we’re skimming through the Old Testament to be ready for Jesus’ birth at Christmas. And this, though we might not realize it, is the first mention of Elijah, one of the most […]
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” The beatitudes are some of Jesus’ most important teachings, and they can be found at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5:1-11. The beatitudes are attitudes, dispositions, and virtues that are to define […]
There have been dozens of movies made about the life of Jesus over the years. And in each of these, the directors have understood that the part of Simon Peter needs to be played by a strong actor – such as a swarthy, barrel-chested Italian, like James Farentino in Franco […]
Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. – Psalm 82:8 KJV Fast with me: fast and pray on Election Day. The fasting is not to make your prayer any holier, or any more acceptable to God. It’s only to remind you that you’re at prayer, […]
… the story of Joseph isn’t “happily ever after” when he forgives his brothers. Yes, God was working through all its twists and turns for good, working to provide an opportunity of salvation for the people. But our choices matter and Joseph made some awful choices. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dream […]
“Then, Jesus began to speak, and taught them.” Matthew 5:2 As a Mennonite Anabaptist, one thing my tradition has taught me is to look to the Sermon on the Mount to understand Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God. Yes, Jesus teaches about many topics, and in the gospel according […]
This past week, I was party to a conversation with a relative that turned to the Black Lives Matter protests. This relative, an older person, commented, “I don’t understand where all this is coming from.” Brothers and sisters, let me tell you, I was flabbergasted. For so many reasons. Having […]