At the Intersection of Theology, Nature, and the Arts
“But Christianity is not just a useful lifeboat for stranded intellectuals. If it isn’t literally true, it isn’t valuable. Whether Jesus Christ actually rose from the dead matters. It mattered to St Paul. ‘If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.’ And it should matter to us…As …
Continue reading "Not Just a Lifeboat for Stranded Intellectuals"
Isaiah 9:1a, 2, 6 and 7; Luke 2:11; Romans 15:4 Hope. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines hope as the wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment or the theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with the help of God. Emily …
Mark 1:1-8 His name was John. People knew him locally as the Baptist. Some would say of him that he was a religious eccentric. Others, less kind, would dismiss him as a flake. He wasn’t a "how to win friends and influence people" kinda guy. He seems something of an odd choice of one to …
Continue reading "Point to the Prince of Peace: Prepare the Way"
I just placed a Christmas flag at the end of our drive that reads: "Joy to the World, the Lord has come." And, at the center of the front lawn, I set letters that spell out the word "JOY." In the "O" of JOY is a rendering of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and alongside the …
I have adapted the following from the Book of Common Prayer and personalized the words by changing the plurals to singulars that I might offer this confession as an individual. Perhaps you'll feel led to join me in lifting this. Almighty and most merciful Father, I have erred, and strayed from Your ways like a …
Gratitude. Thankfulness. Focusing on the positives in our lives, rather than—what we might think of as—the negatives. I have a couple of stories to share, but we begin first with Philippians, chapter 4, where we read: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to …
Matthew 4:1-11 and 2 Timothy 4:1-5 When, at the end of 2021, I was nearing the end of a pastorate in New Hampshire, I wanted to prepare the congregation for the next chapter in their life together. On one Sunday, I stressed the need for the church to mobilize in ministries of compassion; the following …
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; Romans 5:7-8 Memorial Day, which originated after the Civil War, commemorates the sacrifices of those who have fought and died in the American armed forces. It was in 1865 that Henry Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, New York, suggested—at a social gathering—that honor should be shown to the patriotic dead …
James 5:7-12 Patience is defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. Persistence is a firm continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. Perseverance is steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Patience. Persistence. Perseverance. How desperately …
Today marks the fifth Sunday since I last gathered with others for in-person worship in the sanctuary of the Cape Neddick Baptist Church in Maine. It is very strange for our building to stand empty, but the church is its people, and the people continue to be the church outside of the building’s walls. We …
Continue reading "He Knows No Fear; Fear Nothing While He is With You"
DFG Hailson 