April 2012

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

Monday, April 30, 2012
Gracious God, it is striking that you have claimed it is the merciful who receive mercy. We tend to think just the opposite. We believe that since we have received mercy, we should have enough of it to offer mercy to others. Here you are saying that it is as we give mercy that we receive mercy. So perhaps this matter of giving mercy is an act of the will. …

“When my soul was embittered … I was stupid.” (Psalm 73:21-22)

Sunday, April 22, 2012
Holy God, as the saying goes, “Stuff happens.” That’s not exactly the saying, but it’s the only way that I am going to say it to you. Almost always, what we mean by that phrase is that bad things happen. This is when we have to make really important choices. When I am hurt, it is so tempting to savor the injustice and pain I feel. …

“May grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (I Peter 1:2)

Monday, April 16, 2012
It is striking that every time this phrase is found in the Bible – which is often – grace always comes first, and then peace. Since your Holy Spirit is so careful, I doubt that is a mistake. Apparently there is no way to find peace unless grace comes first. I have certainly tried to switch around the order of these things. When my soul is in torment over some anxiety, I keep attempting to talk myself out of being afraid. …

“… terror and amazement had seized them.” (Mark 16:8)

Monday, April 9, 2012
Holy God, one of the many drawbacks to living in a society that considers itself scientifically sophisticated is that nothing much amazes us. And that leads to a flattening of our souls. There was a day when humans were in awe of the sun, thunder, and even such gentle things as a rainbow. The world used to be filled with mystery, and the ancient people who beheld its wonders prayed without ceasing. …

“Those who love me, I will deliver.” (Psalm 91:14)

Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Holy God, this week we remember that in Jesus Christ you were quite literally dying to love us. And what you ask in response is not that we take over for Jesus and kill ourselves trying to be pseudo-messiahs. You just ask that we love you. But loving you re-orients everything in our lives. According to this Psalm, most of all what it demands is that we let you be the deliverer. …

Upcoming Events

Add to iCalendar
more

Sermons

Sermons speak the Word of God in response to the dialogue of our daily lives. Join the sacred conversation in our online worship archive, where you can listen to worship audio files and read sermon texts.

Listen