“Remind Me Again…” (Thanksgiving 2022)

“Now…remind me again….which of the Beatles are still alive?” “Paul and Ringo, Mom.” It is Thanksgiving Day, one year ago tomorrow. We are at our family’s Lakehouse, and we are watching Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” documentary which has just dropped for streaming that very day. More accurately, *I* am watching the documentary, and the rest […]

Read More

Democracy Really IS on the Ballot

“All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.””Luke 15: 1-2 “Everyone who saw this grumbled, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”Luke 19: 7 I’ve been thinking about Zacchaeus, […]

Read More

Mom’s Birthday

Today would be my Mom’s 88th Birthday, and we miss her alot. Anniversaries are hard. But, I’ve been thinking alot about her 60th birthday this month, since I just had mine. That day –right about this time of morning, on my birthday– was extremely hard for me. September has always been “birthday month” for us. […]

Read More

“Are You Resentful Because I am Generous?”

This morning, the world is on-fire with conversation regarding “student debt forgiveness.” I am listening to this debate, as I also meditate on Sunday’s scripture from the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 14), and other Bible stories that speak to us today. In verse 11 Jesus says, “All who lift themselves up will be brought low, […]

Read More

Remembering Buechner

Stopping for a moment to read these words. This old, yellowed quote from Frederick Buechner has been on the wall of every office study I’ve had for 30+ years. What’s YOUR favorite Buechner quote? (Copy/paste it in the comments…) I can’t even begin to calculate the numbers of times I’ve quoted Buechner in sermons, Sunday […]

Read More

Remembering Mom

Eulogy for Pat FolkerthAugust 13, 2022 On behalf of my sisters, Dianne and Linda, and all our families…we are so very grateful to all of you for being here at this service to honor our Mother. It means so much to see you all. And a big “thank you” to Revs Ann Willett and Blair […]

Read More

Your Inner Good Samaritan

“AND…WHO AM I?” This is the unspoken question the religious lawyer quizzing Jesus never asks. I really wish he had. Because I need the answer to this question, and so do you. I’m talking about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Every time I preach on that parable —as happened yesterday— I’m struck by a […]

Read More

I am going down with the ship.

“I am going down with the ship.” I can’t speak for everyone. I can only speak for me. I can’t fault any other choice anyone else might make.All I am saying is: If Texas goes down, I’m going down with it.To the bitter end. I’m here to stay and I’m ready to fight. Ever since […]

Read More

White American Christianity’s Tribal Flaw

“Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God.”— John 16:2 “When your icon of the enemy is completeyou will be able to kill without guilt,slaughter without shame.The thing you destroy will have becomemerely an enemy of God, an impedimentto the sacred […]

Read More

Open Letter To Our Pride Flag Vandal

To the Pride Flag Vandal, I don’t know who you are. I don’t know your motivations. I don’t know why you chose to cut down our KPUMC Pride Flag from the flagpole on our property. But I thought I’d write you a short note today. Please know that we, the members and staff of Kessler […]

Read More