Author Archives: reallifepastor

            That song is a great meditation on today’s Gospel story (“Mr. Simon,” by Ken Medema).  Thanks for singing it, David.  Beautiful as it was, though, I think this one might work even better: Oh Lord it’s hard to be … Continue reading →

(This sermon was preached by Rev. Laurie Moeller at Pilgrimage UCC.  Thanks, Laurie!)   On our back deck we have this enormous poplar tree growing through the middle.  Every few years we have to cut the hole a little bigger … Continue reading →

Of all the places we could choose to be today, this place, for this occasion, would be last on the list.  Frank died too soon.   He wasn’t done yet.  We weren’t done with him yet.  We miss him.  More than … Continue reading →

                The aptly named Jester Hairston was being playful when he wrote “Poor Man Lazarus.”  It’s upbeat, catchy, singable.  It’ll probably be stuck in our brains all week.             The song is upbeat, but the story it’s based on is … Continue reading →

            “Wade in the Water; wade in the water, children.  Wade in the water.  God’s gonna trouble the water.”  These words take on a whole new meaning when you see pictures of the Colorado floods.              Have you seen some … Continue reading →

It’s the third week of the Season of Creation.  Depressed yet?  Even in my attempts to preach more positively about the environment this year, I’m still sensing some sadness from you all, some hopelessness.  Some guilt.  Or maybe that’s my … Continue reading →

          “They should have sent a poet!”  That’s what scientist Ellie Arroway says when the hatch on her space capsule opens to a new, breathtaking world.  “There are no words to describe it!” she says.  “It’s so beautiful.  I had … Continue reading →

            Job suffers.  He loses his livelihood, his health, his children.  He loses everything.  “Curse God and die,” says Job’s wife.  He doesn’t.  Instead, he sits in sackcloth and ashes pondering the question of all who suffer:  Why has this … Continue reading →

The Bible begins with a creation story in Genesis Chapter 1 (here abridged): In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a … Continue reading →

“If someone is gay and searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” — Pope Francis, July 2013   Don’t really need to comment.  The Pope has said it quite well!