Note: This is like a part 2 to the sermon I preached a couple of weeks ago. So often we focus on what Jesus said and did in the world, but these texts give us a tiny window into the preparation and work he did leading up to his ministry.  Finally, as you may know,…

To hear audio of this sermon please click here. (Matthew 3: 13-17) The text for today got me thinking about baptism, this strange ritual that we participate in as Christians.  As if a few drops of tap water and a couple of choice words can really make a difference in someone’s life.  And yet, thousands…

In Mexico and much of Latin American, Halloween is a relatively new holiday for children. Much like here, kids don costumes and go door to door asking for treats, “Queremos Halloween!” (We want Halloween). But while fun, it is hugely over-shadowed by the events of the following day, Dia de los Muertos. You see, Day…

 (Luke 17:11-19) In the Bible “Lepers” come up a lot. Even before I knew anything about Christianity, I associated Lepers with the Bible. The closest I had ever gotten to leprosy, as far as I knew, was when a born-again friend in high school invited me to her church’s “passion play.” The refurbished warehouse church…

(Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Isaiah 58) Dick, the handsome young gentleman here in the front row, he told me that I have the worst job in the world. He said that you couldn’t pay him enough money to do what I do. And its kind of a funny thing for HIM to say, since he’s this…