Love to Tell the Story

There's a cost as well as a joy in discipleship, and we'd best be clear about that if we're to follow Jesus!

It's the Holy Spirit that sets the pace for us who continue to be the church in this time and place!

God’s gift of the Holy Spirit gives us insight we need amidst the unfolding mysteries of our human lives! 

God’s gift of the Holy Spirit is still loose in the church and in the world!  But have we forgotten?

All about Jesus' ascension up to heaven, awe-struck disciples, and our own calling to be the church!

Some thoughts on Memorial Day and the gift of time!

When our walk of faith becomes difficult, what a wonderful thing it is that Jesus has  promised us that no matter what, we will have an advocate for the way!

Sometimes there are consequences for doing good… but that’s no reason not to!

All about the Book of Worship, lost and found... and the wonder of true Sacrament!

So often in the midst of our lives, we all have the need for a Good Shepherd!

Some thoughts on Covid-19, Easter Sunday 2022 and the endurance of resurrection joy... no matter what!

How the all-important question that the Risen Christ asked Peter is the same question that He asks you and me...

A Holy Week meditation on the courage required to come to worship — and to the cross — on Maundy Thursday

Remembering Palm Sunday, when Christians everywhere celebrate Jesus’ “triumphal  entry” into the city of Jerusalem... however, that's not the end of the story...

As persons, people and most especially as the church, we have much to offer Jesus!

Memories of Walt Disney Word, wheelchairs and Jesus' offer of healing!

With so much in the world and in life that is out of our control, it’s essential that we "seek the Lord while he may be found!"

On late winter snowfall, "mud season," and the Lenten journey to the cross...

Life  – and faith – is a journey, with many lessons learned on the way, most especially when that "way" is not where or how we expect!

About the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, and the times we find ourselves there as well...

An Ash Wednesday meditation about cluttered desks, cluttered lives and the spiritual importance of "reaming out."

When have we been not wholly “in the moment,” and thus lose a moment that is  holy?  

In whatever the possibility happens to be in our lives and living, if God is in the midst of it, there is always something good to be found!

So often in the midst of life's difficulties you and I need a sign to remind us of God's presence and love!

The  Bible is filled with stories of God’s people who have a passion for the Word... the question is, do we?  

Reflections on preaching (and living!) the "familiar" Word of God!

About the true purpose of the spiritual life:  to serve others and to serve the Lord! 

When it comes to living the spiritual life, we all stumble from time to  time… and one of the ways we stumble the most is by tripping on our own  tongues!

About the place of prayer in our Sunday Worship and finding meaning in the Lord's Prayer...

So much of living a true and joyful spiritual life comes in what happens when we "watch our attitude!"

Life is the intermingling of our greatest joys and deepest pain... and church is so often the place where both can be found behind the smiles of those sitting in the pews.

Another resolution of the spiritual life: if you want to learn more about faith and true discipleship, become an apprentice!

Of the many resolutions we can make for the new year, the first and best we can make for our spiritual life is to remember that we are God's own!

As the Christmas season becomes the season of Epiphany, it's time for celebrating the light that has come into the world in Jesus Christ!

Old Simeon's proclamation upon holding the newborn Christ Child reminds you and me that Jesus' story -- and ours -- is just beginning!

An East Church Christmas Eve meditation about God's great gift... and our response to it!

Not only is it among the most prominent “Proclamations” heard throughout  the story of Christmas, it’s perhaps one of the most important of all:  “Fear Not!”

Memories of a long-ago Sunday School Christmas Pageant... and what it reveals about true Christmas!

Even (and especially!) at Christmas life can seem enveloped in discouragement; that’s why it’s such good news that Jesus himself reminds us to go and tell what we see and hear!  

Isaiah's promise of a Child who will be named "Wonderful Counselor" speaks to our great need to have someone who truly "gets" us and wants the best for us!

Continuing a series of messages about the "Proclamations" of the season, "preparing the way" for Emmanuel's coming means getting the world ready... and ourselves!

About the season of Advent and times spent sitting on a log deep in the Maine woods!

Advent is a season of waiting... but not just waiting around!  Beginning a series of messages about the "Proclamations" of the season!

About Thanksgiving as the joyful remembrance of the One who is the true source of all of our blessings!

Some thoughts of one of the great "sides" of Thanksgiving Dinner, and how out of great difficulty often comes something of meaning and joy!

Each one of us is seeking to be, as the Bible puts it, “justified” in life and most especially before God. The question is, how do we get there?

Going  “above and beyond” in life and by faith has a real way of changing things for the better!

Stewardship Sunday memories... and being blessed "in the doing!"

In times of losing heart, Jesus teaches us that the better gift, the greater answer, the fuller purpose awaits those who pray continually and keep the faith!

Some thoughts on the beauty of autumn in New Hampshire... and the wonder of its Creator!

In times such as these, we can take comfort in God’s plan and promise for us!

To truly live our lives faithfully requires having God's Law written upon our hearts!

In life and faith, it's not the destination but the journey that matters... but oftentimes the journey takes us right through all the briars and brambles of that life!

Memories of my first pastoral call and our shared work of hope and caring on God’s behalf!

When  it comes to faith, it’s not the destination, but it's the journey of service and servanthood that matters! 

In times such as these, the best thing that we can do as people beloved of God is to keep an attitude of joy, faith and love as we seek to be imitators of Jesus Christ.

Wisdom is good and greatly to be desired, but to ignore wisdom carries with it dire and negative consequences!

There’s a whole lot that can be said about Jesus, but the real question is, “What Say You?”

When it comes to the "basics" of God, it always comes back to LOVE!

God gives us a Law... and that Law not only has to do with our relationship with God, it has a great deal to say about our relationships with each other!

What does it truly mean "to take the Lord's name in vain," and what does that have to do with the way we worship?

God gives us life, his love, his name and a Law... and within that Law, a Promise!

Memories of the first church I served as pastor... and the ministries of church people!

God gives us life, his love, a law... and his name!

Whether you're stranded "on the pond," or doing God's work, we're all in this together!

About Camp Signs and the importance of growing strong with that to which you are anchored!

About rough rides on a back country road and along the way of life!

What is true freedom, and where does it come from?

The great importance of spiritual renewal on a lakeside dock...

Sometimes the question is not whether we’ve heard the gospel… but rather how we respond when we hear it!

In the midst of life’s many storms, Jesus helps us to anchor deep, pray, and... hold on!

When it comes to gardening, it’s not so much about what we do that matters, but what God is doing just beyond our sight... and so it is with the Kingdom of God!

Life is always moving, so it's good news that God is always moving with us!

About Bach, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," and "God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity!"

About the joys and challenges of preaching!

The Holy Spirit as God's relentless determination to do everything possible that we might hear and receive his Word!

To live by faith requires standards that are higher than that of the world!

So often the best (and the worst) stuff of life and living and faith that we pass down to our children comes by word and example!

When it comes to living out of our Christian faith, the bottom line is to love one another!

About the infinite love and care of Jesus, who is the "Good Shepherd!"

About the great importance of food, fellowship, and living as witnesses of the Risen Christ!

When the Risen Christ brings his peace right into the midst of our fear and dread...

Who could possibly be afraid of Easter?  As it turns out, resurrection isn't all that easy a thing to deal with!

What might have the conversation been like at Jesus' Last Supper?

At the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus, the disciples fell asleep... would we have done the same?

With another Holy Week approaching and the shadow of the cross looming before us, some thoughts on this most important Christian symbol...

About one of the most crucial (and personal) questions asked by Jesus.

The truth of what one sees is largely determined by how one sees it, and that is especially true with Jesus!

About the season of Lent and the meaning of our "journey of the cross..."

About the times when it's necessary to clean out our lives and living!

It’s always good for us to assess the measure of love in our lives and living... and not just on Valentine’s Day!

What happens when all of the wonder of life as God intends opens up before you!

Those who wait unto the Lord -- even the grasshoppers-- shall mount up with wings like eagles!

About true citizenship and an allegiance that directs our pathway along the journey...

You and I who are called to follow Jesus are empowered to proclaim his good news and “To Be Bold” in faith!

Some thoughts about social distancing and spiritual un-distancing!

In times of ease and in times of turmoil it remains both our prayer and our confession: “For God alone my soul waits...”

About the act and attitude of listening... to each other and for the voice of God!

About singers who sing and you and I being salt and light!

On being well-practiced in the joy of God's light coming into the world, most especially in these dark and confusing times!

If it's possible for Mary and Joseph to "lose" Jesus, it's certainly possible we can lose him as well!

The first and greatest gift of Christmas is Emmanuel, God with us... and we need that gift now more than ever!

About Nativity scenes, motley shepherds and the importance of being overwhelmed at the Holy Birth!

Mary’s  response to the momentous news that she would give birth to the Christ Child was one of praise and rejoicing.  Can the same be said of us as we await His coming?

On being a "Collector of Christmas Music" and the Advent vision of true Christmas!

This year of all years, to “prepare the way of the Lord” means doing the work of faith boldly and gladly!

In these strange and tumultuous times, we need “Christmas, Now More Than Ever!”

A Thanksgiving story about rejoicing in the Lord... always!

The so-called “Widow’s Mite” turned out to be the widow's "might…” and it can be ours as well!

According to Jesus, when it comes to the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven, the time to be ready is now! But the question is, are we... really? 

No matter what befalls us in life and in this world, we can find hope and strength in knowing that God is in charge!

The story of an unexpected errand of mercy on a dark November night, and our call to bring caring and kindness to the places where we dwell!

In the end, everything we embrace as people of faith pretty much comes down to – or ought to come down to… LOVE!

The importance of glue in woodworking... and in doing the work of God's KIngdom!

Perhaps now more than ever, we need some “proverbial wisdom” for our lives and our world!

A discipline of prayer is our imperative as believers... but it's also a spiritual gift!

As  God provided manna and quail to the Israelites in the midst of their  murmuring, so God provides for us!

At the end of the day, you see, our talk matters very little; it is the way that we “walk the talk” that is truly important... especially as it pertains to our place in  the Kingdom of God!

“Such ever was love’s way – to rise, it stoops.”  And so it is, says Jesus, with the Kingdom of God!

Reflections on the nature and diversity of the church, as well as... the Beatles!

Of all the things we carry with us as we walk through these days, the most important is our identity as children of God!

Whether we're talking about the body or the soul, water is life... and the best water is the living water that Jesus provides!

On "going deeper" in faith in times such as these!

When the storms of life are raging, will we be found crying out or... singing in the strain?

About the essential importance of love in "knowing what we know" about faith!

Life is just too short... not to live it with God at the center!

About the art of sailing and weathering the storms of life!

About a family bulletin board, and the relevancy of Holy Scripture in these times... 

Who knows how the love of God is shared and received?  Maybe, says Jesus, it happens even in a cup of cold water!

The paradox of Christian faith, the meaning of true discipleship... and an incident at the Drive-In!

About life, true and mature faith, and... "Survivor."

In these times when life and this world makes us feel so small, what a  blessing it is to know that God has crowned us with glory and honor!

Kite Flying and the wonderful and mysterious movement of God's Spirit!

God's gift of the Holy Spirit not only leads us in truly hearing and understanding God but also also enables us to hear each other more clearly!

We are sent by Jesus to go forth on an uncertain journey  to be his witnesses  “to the ends of the earth...” but we have a have a Spirit for whatever happens next!

Kickball games, being chosen first, and Jesus who calls us "friend!"

Even now in these days when as congregations we’re scattered, nonetheless as the  church we’re being  “built... spiritually into a dwelling place for God!” 

It’s a question we’re asking a lot these days:  Where is God to be found  in these days of pandemic?  Turns  out that even (and especially!) in  these strange and uncertain times  there a quite a few “God Sightings”  to report!

Theodore Roosevelt,  "Bible Point," and a faithful stance for the journey ahead

Most especially in times like these, it’s important to “keep the faith” –  and the good news is that we’re given a promise and an “advocate” to help us do just  that!

As the song goes, as Christians we’ve got “joy down  in our hearts to stay;” but in times such as these, how do we stay joyful?

A story about the worst camping trip ever, and how we keep the faith when troubles pile on!

Thomas’ doubt — and ours — in this strange and uncertain age

About a salami sandwich, a cup of black coffee and an awareness of the resurrection!

The good news of Easter is that in raising Jesus Christ from the dead, God has made us brand new!

About a bag of beleaguered bulbs and the "good" of Good Friday!

When it comes to Palm Sunday, the truth and the glory is found in the details!

In these uncertain times we need the living water that only God can provide!

However intently darkness seeks to overwhelm us we have a light that will prevail!

The true story of John Newton's "Amazing Grace," and ours as well!

“Wherever two or more are gathered…” Some thoughts on being the church in the midst of the coronavirus crisis!

What would you if somebody offered you everything you've ever dreamed of, even if you didn't know you were dreaming of it?  That's what happened to the Samaritan Woman who encountered Jesus... at the well!

On "the act and attitude of worship," even at a drive-in movie theater!

Two different people came to Jesus asking for pretty much the same thing: life! But only one received what he was yearning for... so what was the difference between them?

Nicodemus had important questions that he needed to ask Jesus, questions of being and of true faith… and so do we!

Life’s mountaintop experiences, the transfiguration of Christ, and the beginnings of true faith!

The slow approach of spring and looking closely for the presence and power of God!

In faith, as in life, building a strong foundation matters!

On learning the game of chess... and the ways of faithful discipleship!

On the importance of *being* salt and light!

It is God’s foolishness, wiser than any human wisdom, that saves us... and makes us who we are!

Thoughts on Bible Study and "Jonathan Livingston Seagull"

In the midst of our searching for God, it turns out that God is searching for us!

Some thoughts on hope, trust, and fortune cookies!

Like a trickle of water that ever widens into the sea such is the love of God!

Some thoughts on how pastors are addressed, and how God’s call affirms our identity

True life and real living can indeed be something that is holy and good… And it begins with the voice of God!

Sometimes we all need a sign to remind us... even, at times, of God’s presence and love!

Just as the fir tree stays evergreen in the face of any and all dangers, so we’re given such a gift through the one who is the vine to our branches!

What happens after the Christ Child is born, and what about the promise of peace he engenders?

“Lead by the light of Faith serenely beaming, with glowing hearts by his cradle we stand...” a meditation for Christmas Eve

About Joseph, who brings us to the Holy Night... and beyond!

About our dog Ollie’s tumultuous relationship with our manger scene!

Can Isaiah’s “Peaceable Kingdom” truly come to pass in the world as we know it?

On singing Christmas carols during Advent… And “The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy”

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!” Drawn from the words of “O Holy Night, “ some Advent thoughts on the coming of light into darkness

Thanksgiving is not just about the day, just as true gratitude is never to be simply about the moment at hand!

The faith journey of “Mayflower” passenger — and family member (!) — Captain Myles Standish

In a world that often seems to be spinning out of control, it’s good to know that in Jesus “all things hold together!”

Leaf raking memories and our work for the sake of God’s Kingdom!

Ours is not the God of the dead but the God of the living… and because of the resurrection all are alive!

Looking at Jesus’ Beatitudes — and our lives — from a slightly different point of view!

Halloween costume memories and the blessing of being exactly who we are before God!

What does it mean to have a life that is “abundant?”

Stone walls, stewardship and what we leave for the next generation!

When we give with delight God delights in us!

A new criteria for true and authentic leadership according to Jesus!

The story of a saint known as “Uncle Herman,” and a pocket full of bubblegum!

We may have many motivations for coming to church, but the way of true worship begins with ascribing to God the glory due his name!

The size, the scope... and the wonder of feasting together at the Lord’s table!

The faith we’ve been given needs to be tended to... and shared!

Memories of marching band season, a fateful performance at a high school basketball game, and a reminder that we can never go it completely alone!

About one the more “difficult” stories told by Jesus... and our challenge to be shrewd and wise as we walk in faith!

The Importance of *not* missing opportunities for love and care in amidst the distractions of life

About sin, mercy and true grace!

Philemon, Onesimus, you and me… and how faith impacts real life!

About Sunday school, confirmation class, and the importance of spiritual formation

Hospitality, Humility and the Kingdom Life!

The church is filled with all different kinds of people… and that includes you and me!

There are times in life and faith when we’re given “windows of opportunity” that require both a decision and action… a time is of the essence!

About time capsules, congregational history, and the best legacy we can leave for the next generations of the faithful

“ Faith is the assurance of things hoped for…”. In these days of confused situations it’s a vitally important reminder for you and I who walk in faith!

On seeking the Lord in the midst of summer yard work!

We’re all looking for what can be considered through security in life, but the question is, what kind of security do we really need?

The glories of Maine humor, speaking “downeast” as a second language and the true nature of the church!

The kingdom of God is like the huge rocks that line the shore, and which stand firm and strong!

The kingdom of God shall be compared to a sailboat tied securely to its buoy, lest the storm come up and carry it away!

Finding a few new metaphors for God and God’s Kingdom... “uptacamp!”

Christian discipleship as a way of life, of living, and of love… It’s why we’re here!

The joys of fresh peas, new potatoes and a spiritual garden!

Life is all about the choices we make and the distractions that seek to keep us from those choices... but Jesus reminds us we must always “keep our hand to the plow!”

Lessons in faith, wisdom and understanding, learned as a “Cabin Boy” on the coast of Maine...

God comes to his people bringing hope and peace… though not always in the manner we expect!

A story about the “Old Man of the Mountain” and on not seeing the forest for the trees...

“After the Spirit” comes in power and in love, there’s the church... and we are the church!

Pentecost Sunday, the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, and the joy of sailing!

As one of two potential candidates to replace Judas as an Apostle, he’s of the great mystery men of the New Testament… but he also represents the need for the church — and you and I within it — to move boldly into the future!

The storms of life are very real but so is the comfort of God who is our refuge and strength!

About flying, fear and a peace that the world cannot give...

Some thoughts on all the connections —especially the spiritual one — that make us who we are!

Introduction and “And They’ll Know We Are Christians…”