Lost in Wonder
(But Still Paying Attention)
Deeply Known
John 10:11-18 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because…
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You Are Witnesses
Luke 24:36b-49 Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I…
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I Need A Pastor (a charge to Ben Robbins)
Ben Robbins Charge to the Pastor/Installation at Northmont U.P. March 11, 2018 Here’s something you’ve probably never thought about if you’re not a pastor. When Ben and Sarah and Brian and Laura and every pastor here today took our ordination vows, we lost something. When we became pastors, we lost our pastors. Pastors do not…
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A Cold Coming
Matthew 2:1-12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard…
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Starting Over. Again.
Starting Over. Again. Isaiah 64:1-9 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— 2as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3When you did…
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The Joy of Your Master
Matthew 25:14-30 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The one who had received the five talents went off at…
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Dear Evan Hansen
Explaining my obsession. If you follow my Facebook and Twitter accounts, you’ve probably noticed quite a few posts about the Broadway musical, “Dear Evan Hansen,” and the recent journey my son and I took to New York to see the original cast perform. I’m usually not so quick to spend the considerable money and time…
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Beatitudes for Those Who Are Feebly Struggling
You can watch the whole All Saints Day service on November 5, 2017 at Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon here: https://youtu.be/Ye-mtONHb9A Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3“Blessed are…
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