Though fallen out of use and focus for various reasons, the Nicene Creed is a crucial roadmap that points us in the direction of a deeper relationship with God. It asks and points us to answers of the greatest question for any Christian believer, Jesus’ question to disciples of all ages, ‘who do you say…

Some of the most compelling novels and films ever made are about characters who live double lives. A high school chemistry teacher who is actually a drug kingpin or a sweet suburban couple who are actually spies for the KGB.  The reason these stories are so compelling is because, though less dramatic, we all tend…

That’s the promise highlighted in today’s reading and Holy Scriptures as a whole. Scripture is nothing less than thousands of years of God’s promises, the Old Promise and the New Promise that God, if we only ask, will right the wrongs of evil in this world and gives us abundant life. Paul says this in…

Yes, Jesus’ kingdom is not of this earth, but at the same time, God made this all for us, and Jesus has left us in charge until his return.  Several times on Sundays and hopefully every day, we pray as Jesus taught us; ‘Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is…

What both sides must realize is that if you weaken healthy religion, it just manifests as unhealthy religion. When people stop believing in anything, they believe in everything. People worship minority identities and rights, canceling and exiling those who blaspheme again their gods.  People worship a false savior who alone can save us from the…

Proverbs perhaps best sums up the Biblical wisdom that is so applicable to us today on the day of our Diocesan Assembly, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Pr 16:3) As I have told you so often, I am always preaching to myself as well as to you…

You know today’s reading. We probably should know it by heart, that’s likely why our ancient lectionary assign it two times a year. Most people would say it is the most quoted lines in all the Gospels, what Martin Luther called the Gospel in miniature, summarizing salvation history.  ‘For God so loved the world that…

We have now gotten up to Chapter 15 in our Bible study on the Gospel of John, and everyone including me are amazed at how rich and profound this book is in theology, writing and understanding of the human condition.  How strange then that John’s first recorded miracle of Jesus-also today’s assigned reading, is when…

On the night before the British census of April 1, 1911, a woman named Emily Davison spent the night locked in a broom closet in Westminster Palace.  Why? Because Davison was a leader in the campaign for the right of women to vote and be elected to office-which was illegal at the time. So she…

We all hear something different when we hear the word Christmas and all we hear are small parts of the soundscape of Christmas.  But with so many voices and a fair amount of noise flooding the air in the Christmas season, we must be careful to hear what was originally said-the Avedis-the good news of…