This Radical Cultural Activism Thing Called Marriage
September 6, 2017 § Leave a comment
On Saturday, September 2, I had the privilege of presiding over the marriage ceremony of Julia Thorpe and Andy Terwilliger. Here is the homily from that ceremony on the passage that Julia and Andy chose, Colossians 3:12-17.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.—Colossians 3:12-17
We live in troubled times. Some might even say that these are times that try men’s souls. « Read the rest of this entry »
The best way to mark Independence Day
July 4, 2013 § Leave a comment
Before the burgers, brats, beer and beans; before the ice cream, pie and cobbler; before the fireworks—take some time and do something, for our day and age, that is truly radical: Read the Declaration of Independence.
It requires at least a basic knowledge of the events leading up to July 4, 1776 (which you can find here) and it will test your vocabulary (which only more curiosity and teachability can help). It is also long; you, like me, may have to read it out loud at first to stick with it. And even if you are only slightly aware of what is going on in our country today, as you read the Declaration you will be shocked at the parallels. Anyone who sees these parallels and lets them settle into his or her conscience will be bound to do some profoundly serious soul-searching—and then have to ask, “What am I obligated to do?”
Click here to read the Declaration of Independence.
May God bless America.
Act like men
May 19, 2013 § 1 Comment
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
What is a man? For millennia humans have sought to answer that question, drawing both from what seems obvious to them from nature because of the physical make-up of males versus females as well as from the influences of individual cultures, philosophy and religion.
The image of masculinity in America has almost always been one of the rugged individual, though modern feminism has sought (sometimes, I fear, literally) to emasculate that image. A few years ago a funny phenomenon developed that I think says a lot about the American view of masculinity: Chuck Norris jokes.
- Some people can juggle chainsaws; Chuck Norris can juggle people juggling chainsaws.
- Fear of spiders is called arachnophobia; fear of tight spaces is called claustrophobia; fear of Chuck Norris is called “Logic.”
- Chuck Norris has a grizzly bear carpet in his room. The bear isn’t dead; it is just afraid to move.
- Ghosts sit around the campfire and tell Chuck Norris stories. « Read the rest of this entry »
Gospel defeat? Never.
April 24, 2013 § 2 Comments
On April 8 Margaret Thatcher, the first woman Prime Minister of England and one of the most influential and polarizing figures not merely of British history but of the 20th century, died. She was called the Iron Lady by her detractors for what they viewed as her steely style and hard, uncompromising views. Many credit her with saving England, bringing it from the brink of an economic ruin nurtured by years of liberal and socialist-leaning governing.
There were those who hated her so much that, on the day of her funeral, some lined the street with their backs turned as her funeral procession came by; others held wild, public celebrations; a childish rendition of “Ding, Dong the Witch is Dead” topped the English pop charts. « Read the rest of this entry »
A testimony of life
February 14, 2013 § 8 Comments
Every January, many evangelical churches use the “anniversary” of the tragic 1973 Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade to celebrate the sanctity of human life. At least one Sunday that month is given to prayer, a special message and testimonies that touch on this critical moral issue. Unfortunately, in most of these churches, when January ends, so does the pro-life emphasis until the next year. « Read the rest of this entry »
“…and his name shall be called…Prince of Peace.”
December 19, 2012 § 1 Comment
Of all the names in Isaiah 9:6 of the Son given to God people, perhaps none resonates within us so deeply as “Prince of Peace”—particularly in times such as ours.
We are surrounded—no, immersed—in conflict. « Read the rest of this entry »
Silent no more–fool or not
November 7, 2012 § 8 Comments
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. —Proverbs 17:28
There have been all too many times when I ought to have heeded these words. For the better part of the last 16 hours I have tried to abide by them, refraining from posting anything either on Facebook or my blog and resisting the urge to tweet—which is actually not that difficult since I almost never do that. « Read the rest of this entry »
2012 Commencement Homily for Trinitas Christian School
June 11, 2012 § 1 Comment
On May 25, for the second year in a row, I was privileged to share the rostrum with Rev. Uri Brito, each of us delivering a “tag” commencement homily for the graduating class. Our text this year was Hebrews 12; my portion covered the first 17 verses but I primarily focused on the first two. My title was “Run!”
Graduates, tonight we rightly congratulate and honor you for your successful achievement. Twelve-plus years of cultivating hard and diligent work have borne fruit—and because the hardworking farmer has the right to enjoy the fruit of his labor, I earnestly hope that tonight and in the coming days and weeks you will feast with satisfaction and gratitude upon this harvest.
But it’s not over. Not by a long shot. In fact, in some ways it is really just beginning. By “it” I don’t mean college, per se—and you are going to probably think this sounds sentimental and clichéic—but what I mean to say is really just beginning for you is the race of life.
Now, I hate sentimentality more than anyone—but I hate it most in sermons and things like commencement homilies. « Read the rest of this entry »
“These go to 11…”
March 15, 2012 § 2 Comments
A little word of explanation is in order regarding my new email–which matches my Twitter handle (or whatever you call it…10-4, good buddy!). What exactly what does “plexirev” mean? It isn’t too hard to figure the “rev” part is a reference to my being an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church in America.
But “plexi”–what’s up with that?
It’s really very simple–and it reveals an admittedly shallow (but definitely redeemable!) indulgence. « Read the rest of this entry »
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