Episodes
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
The Nightmare Before New Years '18
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
In this sermon, I look at the struggles we have experiencing Christmas because we are so busy and consumed by DOING Christmas. I then use Galatians 4 to talk about the importance of the holiday. I conclude with the poem below.
The Nightmare Before New Years by Jordan Rimmer
Twas the Nightmare before New Years, and all through the land
Everyone was stirring, as fast as they can.
The decorations were hung, but were they enough?
Paying off all this credit card debt will be tuff.
The children were tucked in and dreaming upstairs
Of expensive toys that they’ll break and they’ll lose and won’t share.
Mom and I were exhausted, and fell fast asleep
For this was a pace that we just could not keep.
It was snowing outside and starting to pile
In the morning I would have to shovel a while.
Man, was the winter always rough on my back.
And we are travelling this week and didn’t yet pack.
The kids would wake up before the crack of dawn
To open their toys, and all day they will yawn.
Then we’d dash to see family throughout the day
And we’ll eat and we’ll talk while all the kids play.
As the day moves along a smile turns to a frown
Somebody’s bound to have a melt-down.
It might be a kid who didn’t get enough sleep
Or an adult with too many secrets to keep.
Is this really what Christmas is all about?
That we run and we spend and we stress and we shout?
We hustle and bustle and wear ourselves thin.
Is there something more happening that we just won’t let in?
Then we realize with a great amount of fear:
We are going to have do this all again next year?
But bigger, and better, and nicer, and more
More shopping, more cookies, of everything—more.
Or we could choose differently here, you and I.
We could hold on to love and give up the lie
That Christmas is all about presents and stuff
We could look at it differently, but it will be tuff.
Maybe it’s not about presents at all
Or decorations or cookies or sales at the mall.
Maybe the holiday is all about love.
That started with Christ who came from above.
The love that was laid in the manger of hay
Changes the way we love others today.
Maybe this Christmas we can more than get through.
Merry Christmas, I say, and God’s blessings to you.
Sunday Dec 16, 2018
It's a Wonderful Life Sometimes '18
Sunday Dec 16, 2018
Sunday Dec 16, 2018
One of the challenges of life is that joy and suffering often go together. Love involves risk. The wonderful part of life are not offset by the painful parts, but they go together. I take a look at the testimonies of Simeon and Anna, what this all must have been like for Mary, and what we can learn from them.
Sunday Dec 09, 2018
My Big Fat Dysfunctional Family Christmas '18
Sunday Dec 09, 2018
Sunday Dec 09, 2018
I take a look at the families of the Christmas story- Zechariah and Elizabeth with John the Baptist and Mary and Joseph with Jesus. Through them I reflect on the struggles that we often feel in our families and relationships during the holidays. Maybe this gives us insight into what it means that Christ brings peace.
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
How the Grinch Stole Advent '18
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
This sermon starts my 2018 Advent sermon series. Here I rework a sermon from a few years ago to talk about the importance of Advent and why I think it is so bad that we are losing it.
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
My Yoke is Easy
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
I take a look at what the image of a Yoke entails and use the words of Jesus to describe the essence of grace.
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
A Theology of Stewardship
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
Sunday Dec 02, 2018
This is my stewardship Sunday sermon. I try to change the conversation about what it means that we are stewards.