Celtic Preacher

Sometimes we feel caught between a rock and a hard place. Either direction is going to cause trouble. Maybe I will offend someone, or perhaps I'll be misunderstood or disapproved of if I choose this direction or respond in this way. There is a high cost to being true to yourself and God. Do I have the courage to do the right thing? In our text today, Pilate finds the choice simply too risky and co...

Acts of generosity or help of any kind can be done for the wrong reasons, Jesus points out in our text today. Learning to give and help is essential to Jesus, but it's the kind of giving that has no strings attached, and that's not so common. Text is Mark 12:38-44  Podcast 105

There's a lot of weeping in our passage today; Jesus is grieving over the loss of his closest friend, Lazarus. Martha, Lazarus' sister, is angry, confused, and brokenhearted. The disciples are bewildered. Yes, you can trust God and yet still be angry,  confused, and brokenhearted. We get to be fully human, and even Jesus is overwhelmed with grief at times. The text is Gospel of John 11 

Change is necessary, Jesus would say. When we resist change, we stop growing. We get stuck in old ways of doing and thinking and lose our inner freedom. Jesus taught, if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:31

Whose idea is this? Teasing apart the difference between following someone else's agenda, your sense of direction, and following Christ are often not the same. The Zebedee brothers have all sorts of good ideas, but unfortunately, it's not what Jesus is asking them to do. We all have our "Zebedee" inclinations. Text Mark 10:35-45  

"I'm not dealing with this," and he walked away. Not every conversation with Jesus has a happy ending because Jesus always brings truth to a situation. The pattern is familiar, God shows us something about ourselves, and we get to choose to stay stuck or move on into freedom. It will cost us something, so it's a matter of paying the price or not. The text is Mark 10 and Hebrews 4 Pod100

Love yourself enough to not settle for anything less than the might three, love, trust, and commitment. It's the foundation of a good, solid, life-giving relationship. It's God's intention for your closest relationship. The text is Mark 10-2-16

Can you get in God's Way? Yes, Jesus teaches it's easy to say one thing and do another, but that does not lead to the abundant, whole, transformed life He promised.  "I can give you a life you've never even dream of," Jesus said, "but first, you have to be open to changing your mind and changing your direction."  Mark 8:27-38 Thanks to the bibleproject.org for their teaching video called, Messiah,...

Faith and trust are both the same, Jesus teaches. Life is one big life lesson on learning how to trust God. It's not easy, but it is possible. It's about knowing who to go to, and it takes grit and persistence. It's hanging on in there whether the answer is Yes, No, or Maybe. Text is Mark 7:24-37 Pod95

It's not about never getting angry; Jesus teaches; it's more about learning how to direct the energy and learn from it rather than be hijacked by anger's powerful influence. The text is Ephesians 4:25-5:2 and Gospel of Matthew 5  Podcast 93  

Humanity has struggled with insecurity from the beginning of time, but do you know God has specific instructions that can help our dilemma? Today, we look at an ancient text from Exodus 16, thousands of years old, and essential wisdom for daily life.  

No-one is immune to stress and exhaustion, even Jesus and his disciples can’t keep up an never ending pace. Text Mark 6 Podcast 90 19 July, 2021

If you have questions about prayer you are not alone even Jesus students, his disciples, were confused and wanted to learn more Episode 89

When we think of God’s power helping us, we can feel that it’s something for the distant future. Jesus teaches it’s for today, right now, at this moment. “I AM the resurrection,” He said. You can access everything you need to get you through every moment given to you. Text is John 11    Podcast 88 Sheltering in Place      Week 3

Jesus was quick to point out the wrong ways of thinking and responding to suffering. He invites us to follow His new way of living in a broken world. Our choices, decisions, and responses will be influenced by how we view God, ourselves, and others. It's no wonder Jesus said, "You live in the world, but you're not of the world." The text is John 9 The healing of the blind man. Sheltering In Place...

During times of crisis, all our insecurities rise to the surface. All the things we rely upon suddenly feel shaky. Jesus addresses the need of the human heart to drink deeply from the Living Water that he freely gives. Podcast 86 Text John 4

Sometimes we are left wondering about people, God, or situations, and there is no clear answer simply because we are asking the wrong questions. We can learn a lot from Nicodemus' conversation with Jesus. Jesus corrects Nicodemus before he asks his question. Jesus discerns Nic is off track before the conversation begins. The text is Gospel of John 3  Podcast 85

Peter, James, and John had trouble listening to God so you are in good company if you wonder why guidance isn't more precise. Many things get in the way of listening especially when we disagree with what we hear. Fortunately, God doesn't seem to have difficulty repeating the message until we get it. The text is Matthew 17.  The Transfiguration. Podcast 82 

Pretending you are a good person or a happy, successful, or content person doesn't help bring us to a place of peace with ourselves and others.  Jesus' Way always leads to integration. The first thing that needs to be dropped is pretense. Jesus teaches that being truthful with ourselves is the first step toward living an authentic life. Matthew 5:21-37 Sermon on the Mount Podcast 81 

True love always protects the wisdom of the Bible teaches us. If you do not feel protected, it is not true love regardless of what someone tells you.  Good, healthy parents always protect their children, marriages, and partnership built on safeguarding all in their care thrive. We were designed to be a preserving quality in the world. "You are the salt of the earth," Jesus declares. When we are in...

Have you ever said something you wish you hadn't, clicked the send button prematurely, or blurted out your opinion when no one asked for it? From binge-watching Netflix to yet another bowl of ice cream, self-control is not encouraged, taught, nor admired. West Coast US living is all about excess, everything has to be bigger and faster. Jesus offers an entirely different way, which leads to true co...

We all have a calling, according to Jesus. A calling isn’t merely for pastors, nuns, monks, and religious professionals. A calling drives you forward and gifts you with a sense of passion, direction and, purpose. A calling keeps you on track when the going gets tough. Jesus teaches his first students (and us) what that calling is.        Text Matthew 4 Podcast 78

What does it mean to follow Christ? There's a phrase Jesus used often; he said, "Follow me."  What does he mean by that? How is it possible if he's not here? The whole idea of the following implies we are going somewhere. Where is that somewhere? The text is John 1:29-42 Podcast 77

I entitled this talk the "forgotten" power of baptism because it seems to be relatively easy for followers of Christ's Way to get worn out, distracted and tired all because we forget of the promise of power, gifted to us, by Christ himself. When we feel overcome it can often be a sign we are trying too hard and going solo rather than staying in partnership with Christ. This talk gives an overview...

When you are not happy at Christmas, fear not, you are in good company. Christmas isn't about happy families, gifts, finding the love of your life, landing the right job, or any other happy endings the Hallmark movies tell us. The real Christmas story paints a picture of all not being well in the world along with a profound lack of peace, and yet, God gives the gift of assurance in a most unlikely...