The ax is at the root of the tree; the winnowing fork is separating the wheat from the chaff. Tithing a full 10% is good for our souls because it reduces our choices, makes us happier, and simplifies our lives. Tithing is the ax and winnowing fork that gets rid of what is not needed so that we may receive what is being gifted to us - Jesus.

Advent, 1st Sunday. Life without Advent leads to exhaustion, as we follow the gods of capitalism, consumerism, hedonism, and media overload. Besides, what about our soul? That is why God gave us Advent. Stay awake! Keep alert! God is already working in the world! Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Christ the King 2013. We have been rescued and transferred to the kingdom of light by Christ, the king of all creation. There is nothing that can happen to us now.

When we are rich toward ourselves, we may be rich, but we are also fools. Let's talk about money, so we may be rich toward God, and be freed from the tyranny of being possessed by our possessions.

Caregiver Sunday 2013. As U2 sang in "One" we get to carry each other. Caregivers do this important and exhausting work. We ask God's blessing on them today.

Saints are not perfect. Saints sing songs to us, and we join in to sing the Song together. All Saints 2013 (Recognition)

God told the people (in Ezekiel) I will "give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you." Paul says (in Romans) that the same Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead has been given to us. There are plenty of reasons to "rejoice in the power of the Holy Spirit." We have been called to join the dance with the Lord of the Dance.

We are good at serving God because we so freely serve our neighbors. But what about loving God--pure devotion for the One who first loved us?

To honor is to "fix the value" on someone or something. But what if our first impressions are wrong? The phrase "honor all persons" is a challenge to move beyond "single stories" which limit our relationships. We honor as we value persons as individuals for whom Jesus died.

The problem with platitudes is that they are an attempt to explain or fix what cannot be explained or fixed. It's best just to bypass phrases like "It's God's will" and go straight to real help by saying, "I'm sad for your loss. I care about you." And always pray. That is perhaps the best way to help the suffering.