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Hey, Man, Can You Spare a Job?

Walking around downtown this past Monday night, a cool breeze freshening the air and the approach of sunset causing a dance of light and shadow around the buildings, I had a brief conversation with a group of street musicians who were moving from one “stand”—one high...

The One Point

Someone once asked the brilliant African-American preacher Gardner Taylor how many points a sermon should have.  He said, “At least one.”  As I understand it now, at age 57, having preached hundreds of sermons across thirty years, I really only have one...

Thy Sea is So Great, My Boat is So Small

The wonderful twentieth century story-teller Isaac Bashevis Singer once admitted: “I only pray when I am in trouble.  But I am in trouble all the time, and I pray all the time.”  Even when we need to pray, because of the trouble we’re in, or when we want to...

Reverence and Gentleness

Prompted by a phrase in the New Testament (1 Peter 3:16), I’ve been pondering the vital importance of reverence and gentleness.   Reverence is about acknowledging our limits.  I don’t know everything and can’t do everything.  Sometimes, I am wrong about...

Prayer for Mercy

Some of you asked about the prayer for mercy which was part of my sermon today.  Here it is; I hope you will find it helpful.  O God, remind me always that my life is your gift, and that I live under, and rest in, your Mercy. Gone forever is my once-proud...

Another World in this One

French poet Paul Eluard said: “There is another world, but it is in this one.” Late one afternoon last week, after a long walk around town, I sat for a while on a bench near the courthouse in City-County Plaza.  Almost directly in front of me, on the stone-paved...