A few people have asked for a simple way to listen to the sermons I preach at New Song Church here in St. Louis. You can usually access them at our church’s website, www.newsongstl.org, but I will also post them here from time to time. This one is part of a current series about Paul in the New Testament. It is titled Paul & the Lost. 001_A_088_Aug 6_Sermon
Posts Tagged ‘Christianity’
Remains #2
18
Jul
…the most hated woman in America…
Casey Anthony was released from jail two days ago. As she left the jail, she needed the protective custody of two law enforcement officers, who thought they needed the protection of the full swat gear they wore.
It seems obvious that Casey Anthony is currently “the most hated woman in America.” Officers say she has received numerous death threats…at least 7 of which they consider to be sincere. Her close relatives have disowned her, and her distant relatives have advised her to get plastic surgery to disguise her appearance. Others have encouraged her to change her name and leave the country.
It really doesn’t matter how I feel about the verdict. It’s unimportant whether I believe the reports and speculations. I’m not even in a position to voice my opinion of our judicial system, though my opinions are quite strong.
But most importantly, I’m not in a position to become judge and jury of any other human being. I too have committed more than my share of damage in this world. Were it not for the grace and forgiveness of God, shown through God’s people, I would not have survived.
I know how it feels to have the mercy of God wash over your soul. And having experienced that rebirth, that cleansing, that open embrace…I could never deny that gift to another.
…Phillip’s Prayer…
03
Dec
I first met Phillip over 20 years ago. Phillip was a young adult with Down’s Syndrome, living at home with his parents and sister. He had an easy manner and a ready smile. He was a member of my church, and from time to time he and I would go out for a burger or some ice cream. A few times we went back to his place to watch movies…he really liked that whole Rocky series!
At one point, Phillip asked me if I’d teach him to pray. I was honored! I was honored, not just by his request…but because his request paralleled the Biblical account of the disciples asking Jesus to teach them to pray.
So…feeling a little Christ-like…I attempted to teach Phillip the Lord’s Prayer. After all, that’s how Jesus responded to the disciples’ request. He taught them the Lord’s Prayer. It was good to feel Christ-like!
Unfortunately, either Jesus was a better teacher than me…or the disciples were better students than Phillip. Whatever the case, Phillip finally shook his head and declared that the Lord’s Prayer was “too hard” for him to learn.
So Phillip and I began working on what was to become “Phillip’s Prayer.” Nearly every Sunday morning Phillip and I would step away from the others, bow our heads and recite together, “Dear God. Make it right. Amen.”
Granted, sometimes Phillip would rearrange the words…but the message always seemed to be the same. I’m sure God wasn’t offended by an occasional “Amen, Dear God. Make it right.” And I’m sure God understood “Right God. Amen, make it dear.” Even when the words seemed to be wrongly arranged, Phillip’s heart was sincere.
I’m embarrassed to admit that sometimes I recite the Lord’s Prayer…word for word…and barely give it a thought.
…location, location, location…
17
Aug
There is today much concern over the future building of Cordova House and Mosque at New York’s Ground Zero. I myself have a gut-level reaction…a prejudice if you will…that the location of the proposed mosque and community center is somehow wrong.
It is at times such as these that I must not succumb to gut-level reactions. It is at times such as these that I must force my God-given brain to understand our Christ-given directives.
Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, and to “will for others, what we will for ourselves.” And I would not wish to have my own religious expressions squelched because of the radical actions of my extremist Christian brothers and sisters.
Granted, I am a Christian. But please do not place me in the same camp as the Christian extremists who have bombed abortion clinics and murdered medical doctors. Please, do not question my motives based upon the hatred expressed by the most radical members in my faith community. And please realize that all Muslims do not advocate hatred and violence against non-Muslims.
I know…I know…something about building Cordova House near Ground Zero doesn’t seem right. It seems odd that Muslims should become our neighbors at Ground Zero. Location…location…location. Didn’t Jesus direct us to love our neighbors?
Christ did not come into my life to make me feel right…He came into my life to help me live right.
