Reel with God
Welcome!
It is my hope that these blogs will take some of the mysticism out of God. Help us understand the true nature of God. Not according to our own views but those of God’s. God is real. God is not a magician, a specter, a genie, hovering about waiting to do our bidding. God is with us, sometimes challenging us, always loving us. God doesn’t fix our problems. But God does offer comfort and guidance.
This Sunday is our second movie in the sermon series Christmas Movies with Meaning. Last week we looked at the movie White Christmas and were reminded that Jesus washes away our sins and we become white as snow. This week we are looking at the movie Elf. Buddy sets...
Parable of the Good Samaritan
In today’s digital age, it may seem as if a good person is difficult to come by. The average individual wakes to a phone message or email and from that minute on, lets the electronic of their choosing control each additional moment that encroaches. With the...
Thoughts on a Parable- A Vineyard Story
A parable is defined by dictionary.com as, “A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.” In short, a parable is similar to a metaphor. it has been approximated that 1/3 of all Jesus’ teachings are parables....
The Fourth and Faith
“The informing spirit of the American character has always been a deep religious sense. Throughout the years, down to the present, a devotion to fundamental religious principles has characterized American thought and action.” These words were spoken by John F. Kennedy...
The Wizard of Oz Theology
Today we complete our TV Theology Class at UMC Brook Park with an examination of The Wizard of Oz. The Wonderful Religion in OZ “There’s no place like home!” Reading these words brings the sound of Judy Garland’s, voice to the forefront of my mind. I can clearly hear...
Memorial Day
Monday, May 27th, 2019 marks Memorial Day in the United States. Memorial Day is a Federal Holiday in the U.S. in which those that have fought and died in the Armed Forces are remembered. It is celebrated the last Monday in the month of May. With that bit of business...
Seven Deadly Sins
We all know the movie starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey that ends with a head in a box laid upon a desolate field. However, few know where these sins derived from. First, let me apologize if I ruined the film, Seven for you. I assume that since it...
“The Twilight Zone” message
Twilight’s Religion It was a dark and dreary rain soaked night in early October when a show from another dimension flickered onto the screens of televisions across America. That show….. The Twilight Zone. I must admit the first sentence was meant for dramatic effect...
Angels Among Us A quick Google search of “Angel” will reveal the following definitions: Webster's Dictionary- a spiritual being superior to humans in power and intelligence especially : one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchy. Wikipedia- An angel is...
Palm Sunday
As a child, Palm Sunday was special to me. It was the day that our church passed out palm branches that would be turned into weapons and used on my siblings. Of course, this was done out of love and admiration for one another. Truthfully, I did not know much about...
United Methodist Committee On Relief
In the wake of tragedy, people search for answers. However, there are some people who come together to provide comfort in a time of need. That comfort and support may be just the answer needed by the afflicted. Prior to the United States involvement in World War II,...
Why We Do What We Do – Easter
As each holiday approaches in the Western hemisphere, families hurriedly prepare their homes and their mental being for the traditions that follow. We set tables, decorate trees, hunt for eggs, and slice up squash plants, all in the name of tradition. As the years...
Full disclosure. I am a United Methodist pastor. I believe in God and God’s Son Jesus Christ. I have six children who are young adults, all experiencing faith and spirituality in widely different ways.
I was in high school during the 70’s: truth, love and rock and roll set our path. Jeans and anything natural and positive guided our thinking. We too were seekers.
You may be a young person reading this blog, one of the ones who will and are beginning to take charge of this world, trying to fix some of the things we have goofed up. You are connected to the earth, are determined to be diverse and are open to differing life styles. You are enlightened. And, yet are you missing roots? Do you know that you are loved? Do you know that who you are is more important than what you do? Do you know that we, your parents, are sorry for any pains we have caused you. We in all honesty wanted only the best for you. Maybe it backfired.
But it is my hope that just because we are so flawed; you will not blame God for this mess. Because if we turn again to God, maybe it will all get better. Maybe…
These blogs are created with the hope that we may gain an understanding of the importance of relationships. Relationships that are in person, wildly unpredictable, often challenging and yet so needed for our health. Seekers seeking spirituality connected to one another, all one big family with problems and yet centered on a loving God.
Try it. You are in my prayers as you read and seek.