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Tag Archives: conflict
Surrender, to be free indeed: a sermon for Reformation Sunday
I am grateful that by some coincidence the choir sang today a piece whose title was, “I surrender to Jesus”. And, indeed, the thread that runs through the whole song is the act of of surrendering. This theme might, on … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Reflection
Tagged alone, antisemitism, bible, Carl Sagan, Christ, church, conflict, Contact the movie, Cross, death, defeat, faith, film, forgiveness, God, grace, hatred, history, humility, Jesus, Jodie Foster, Lutheran, Martin Luther, New Testament, paradox, Pittsburgh, preaching, Reformation, Reformation Sunday, release, religion, religious wars, Roman Catholic, scripture, sermon, surrender, theology, theology of glory, theology of the cross, trust, victory, violence, Worship
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A wedding sermon: To expand and include
In a moment, we will share candlelight in this circle of friends and family. Sharing the light is a symbol of the meaning of marriage. Just as one candle shines its light in the darkness and with other candles expands … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Reflection
Tagged affirming, bible, candle, conflict, connection, connectivity, contemplation, darkness, electricity, energy, expansion, faith, family, friendship, growth, health, images, images for marriage, inclusion, inclusivity, life, light, love, marriage, maturity, music, relationship, rosebud, sermon, soul, soundwaves, speakers, spiritual growth, stereo, union, wedding, witness, Worship, yes
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Finding Love
When the Beatles sang, “All you need is love” back in the 1960s, this soft sentiment echoed the enthusiastic embrace by some people who wanted everyone simply to get along and overlook their differences. It was also during this turbulent … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Reflection
Tagged church, community, conflict, disciples, Easter, friendship, Gospel of John, Jesus, lectionary, love, sermon
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Diversity in unity: A Reformation sermon
Of all that can be said about the tragic events of October 22, 2014 at the War Memorial and Parliament Hill, one thing we can agree on: something changed. In the aftermath of the shootings, we are still figuring out … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Reflection
Tagged A Mighty Fortress is our God, Bishop Younan, Christian, conflict, devil, diversity, fortress mentality, glory, grace, hatred, identity, love, Lutheran, Martin Luther, mercy, Middle East, Ottawa, Ottawa shootings, Reformation, Reformation Sunday, sermon, spiritual growth, theology of the cross, unity, unity in diversity, values, violence
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No partiality
At the beginning of every congregational council meeting, members take turns sharing a personal experience of God — whether in their day, or in the past, or in childhood. Last week a young adult member told us about participating in … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Theological Reflection
Tagged aboriginal, ALS, bible, Canada, church, community, conflict, council, good news, Gospel, grace, Ice bucket challenge, indigenous, Jesus, Leadership, lectionary, Lou Gehrig's Disease, Lutheran, mission, Palestine, Pharisees, politics, sermon, social action, social justice, spiritual growth, Worship
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Forgiveness is absurd and excessive
Forgiveness is not what our world preaches nor practises. The problem in religious circles is that we may preach forgiveness but don’t often practise it. When I listened to the speakers at the rally on Parliament Hill last week, I … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Reflection
Tagged bible, Christianity, conflict, forgiveness, Iraq, Islam, Ottawa, Parliament Hill, political action, politics, rally, religions, religious minority, social justice, Syria
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