This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "faith"
Faithfulness and Absolution
Creative Minority Report tells the story of a priest who may have been unjustly accused of a crime another committed–the other being a penitent who confessed his sins to the priest. Pornography was found on the priest’s computer and the priest gave “vague” and inconclusive answers as to why it was there. He was fired from his post, and perhaps defrocked. But someone has come to the priest’s defense, admitting they put the material there–and had confessed it to the priest. Convoluted? Yes. Do we have the whole story? No. But it does get one thinking about the sanctity and seal of the confessional. Why is the confessional sealed? Why does a priest (or a pastor) swear to never reveal what was confessed? Some suppose it is a matter of integrity, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Fight the Power
A problem with Adult Converts and Adult Instruction Classes is many people have an underlying assumption that they pretty much know enough already. They tend to think one protestant is pretty much as good as another. And perhaps for many churches, that’s true. Likewise, the classes often seem to be taken with a view of learning the facts of this church body versus that church body. So what you may get is adults who are taking … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
This Wasteland
What is that sound high in the air Murmur of maternal lamentation Who are those hooded hordes swarming Over endless plains, stumbling in cracked earth Ringed by the flat horizon only (T.S. Eliot, “The Waste Land”) The great lie of the deceiver is the status quo, the illusion of normalcy. The Stones may have been unintentional prophets like Caiaphas before them, but they are servants of the Most High when they remind us of the impossibility of satisfaction. We were created for the Creator, to long for Him and search Him out. Our deeply satisfied lives in front of the glowing screen laughing at sex jokes and guile, thrilled with balls being thrown and caught by gladiator-sized steroid junkies realize the depth of our scorched souls. That we appear contented and happy among the idols that give … Read entire article »
Life Hurries On
Well, the kids are all off to school today. It was a little hairy, as Eldest started her freshmen year the the High School. A little scary for me too. She was embarrassed by my car. Admittedly, it is something of a beater these days. Even the littlest starts school this afternoon, doing half day Pre-K. He is very excited. Last night he had to sign the internet use agreement, and he continually switched between his right and left hands. Things are kicking up at church, too. Choirs start next week. Midweek on September 15. I’m planning another adult instruction class this Fall. It is good that the routine begins again. Good for the kids to be in school and busier and learning. It’s bad how time flies. Wise Solomon agrees: Vanity of vanities, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology, Uncategorized
Yes, They are with Us
Marjorie has started a little business managing property for a friend. He has given us five of his rentals to manage. Two of them are currently bringing in rent. Two are vacant, and one renter is on his way out. We remodeled one house this spring and are happy with the renters; they seem happy with the house as well. The current house we’re working on is not a bad little home. Two bedrooms, one bath, a good-sized kitchen with two living areas. Central heat and air, a one-car garage and a large yard; much bigger than mine. The house is in pretty good shape, all things considered. But it’s on the east side of town–the low-rent district. It would fetch a few hundred more on this side. The neighborhood there … Read entire article »
Rev. Joseph Myers
Joe passed away in his sleep yesterday. He was the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Garber, OK, one of the churches in our circuit. In many ways he was a pastor’s pastor, the kind of man who represented what the LCMS was, and in many ways, what it should be: a faithful man, a joyful person, an excellent preacher, a lover of the Lutheran Confessions, humorous, witty and humble. Arrangements are forthcoming, but for now I ask your prayers for all, especially for his wife Mary and the people of Immanuel. May God have mercy on us all! ”Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Rev 14:13 ESV) … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
What the Fathers Preached
Luke 14:16-24 The Parable of the Feast: Gregory: and aptly is curiosity signified by the bodily senses, for they cannot see the things of the mind, but only outward things. And as it seeks to search into the lives of others, and is incapable of knowing its own inward life, it is ever eager to know of outward things. But we must note that each who excuses himself from the supper of the Inviter, the one because of his farm, the other because he must prove his piety of oxen, mingles with his reply some words of humility; for when he says, I pray thee, there is humility in his words; but pride in the deed. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
What the Fathers Preached
Trying out a new series here: sermon fragments from the Church Fathers. Hope you enjoy. Luke 14:16-24 (Trinity 2) The Parable of the Great Feast Augustine: John, when he said: all that is in the world, is the concupiscence of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life, begins at the point where the gospel ends. The concupiscence of the flesh: I have married a wife. The concupiscence of the eyes: I have bought five yoke of oxen. The pride of life: I have bought a farm. A part is standing for the whole, the five senses have been commemorated by the eyes alone; which hold the chief place among the senses: four sight, though properly of the eyes alone, is wont to be used of all … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Pastors as Sheepdogs
Randy Asburry has an excellent post that tied in perfectly with my sermon last Sunday on “Good Shepherd Sunday.” It’s much better than what I merely grasped at in my sermon. My only complaint: that he would have posted this last week so I could have used it then! Here’s his post. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Confession, Respect and Faith
I had a great Confirmation class yesterday, teaching the kids about Confession and Absolution and especially private confession. They were fascinated by the idea that my daughter could confess anything to me as her pastor, and Dad would never mention it, speak of it…or even punish her for it. They were having some serious PK envy–probably the first time in their life. One girl asked a very good question, though. She asked what would happen if she confessed to something and I thought less of her, or treated her differently after that. That is the exact fear most of us have when it comes to private confession–the fear that our secrets will be exposed. I don’t know if it’s true for all pastors, but in the first place I explained to her … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
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