Category: Faith
-

“Holy Curiosity” – Part 5 of 5 (Finally!), of Developing an “Opposable” Theology
Even the most absolute, clearest of truths can be understood in deeper, richer, more complex and applicable ways.
-

“Thinking like a Mystic” – Part 4 of 5, of Developing an “Opposable” Theology
The mystics demonstrate a path that begins and ends with seeking God – God, not information about God – and accept the complexities, paradoxes, and inscrutable qualities of God merely as a mystery worthy of continuing pursuit.
-

Developing an “Opposable” Theology: Part 3 of 5 “The Power of Paradox”
The God of Scripture is not manageable, controllable or predictable. Understanding biblical paradox requires holy imagination, comfort with mystery, and a willingness to accept the infinitude of God. God refuses to fit into our boxes. God can’t be quantified or categorized. God is too big for that. God is too…
-

Developing an “Opposable” Theology: Part 2 of 5
What if a deeper theological comprehension results not from our ability to learn, comprehend and articulate a single doctrinal position, but from our ability to continuously wrestle with multiple theological perspectives, even as we lean one direction or another?
-

How’s the water?
We exist in God, and God in us. God is as close as the air we breath. Every step we take is on holy ground, as every step we take is with God. God is everywhere we go, and there’s nowhere God isn’t.
-

Advent 2020: Who or what are we waiting for?
The word “advent” literally means “arrival.” Thus, the Advent season is about the coming of the Christ Child, and the less emphasized subject of his eventual return in glory. Advent is a time for planning, preparing, and anticipating a particularly important arrival. It is a season of looking and longing…
-

“Joseph” – a sermon preached on September 13, 2020, at The First United Methodist Church of Orlando.
Hatred, jealousy, and family dysfunction led to Joseph becoming a slave. But, God was working too. Because God was with Joseph, even in slavery, even in Egypt, God used Joseph to save nations, including Israel.
-

“Connecting With Grace”: The final sermon in a series called “ConnectAbility,” preached on Sunday, August 16, 2020, at the First United Methodist Church of Orlando
Do you ever get the feeling you’re constantly being measured, evaluated? For instance… My insurance agent recently sent me a device for my car, claiming it would record my “safe” driving habits, leading to lower insurance rates. Kelly says I drive like an old man, so I thought, “Why not?…
-

Sermon: “Connecting with Your True Self” – part of a sermon series called “ConnectAbility,” preached at the First United Methodist Church of Orlando, on August 2, 2020
Our summer theme, “ConnectAbility” – based on the Great Commandment, to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind” and to, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” – has had three major emphases… Connecting with God: emotionally, intellectually, and…
-

“Connecting with the Mind” (A sermon preached on June 28, 2020 for the First United Methodist Church of Orlando, Part II of a series called, “ConnectAbility”)
Loving God with our minds is actively seeking the mind of Christ. Loving God with our minds is actively, purposefully seeking God’s wisdom and knowledge. Loving God with our minds is submitting our thoughts and ideas to God, and asking God to reveal God’s thoughts and ideas.