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Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Unexpected Pastor’s Best Picture Countdown 2021
This is the first year since . . . sometime in my early teens, I guess . . . that I have not seen any of the Best Picture nominees in a theater. I know it’s just one of many … Continue reading
That’s Just the Way “They” Are
The four young women burst into my car on the DC Metro late one afternoon last week. Probably in their mid-teens, they entered with the loud exuberance of unrestrained youth. Mindful only of their group and oblivious to the sparse … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
3 Comments
Review: Paul, Apostle of Christ
I have been posting brief reviews of films on my Facebook page, but am going to start posting them here as well. I welcome your comments, especially your disagreements (which are much more interesting than agreement, but those are welcome, too). … Continue reading
The Unexpected Pastor’s Best Picture Countdown 2018
Here we go again! Every year I rank the films nominated for Best Picture. As always, these are not predictions nor is the order based on films I “liked” the most, but rather my opinion of which films are most … Continue reading
Posted in Arts and Culture, film, Movies, Uncategorized
Tagged 2018 Academy Awards, 2018 Oscars, Dunkirk, Lady Bird, The Shape of Water
2 Comments
“Family Dinner” – A Sermon for Maundy Thursday
Luke 22:1-27 There is something powerful about sharing a meal. According to surveys, more families are eating together. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse conducted a survey and found that almost 60% of families with children under 18 … Continue reading
Jesus, Water Fountains, and Wedding Cakes
In the 1960’s, “States’ Rights” meant the “right”to discriminate against people of color. Today, “Religious Liberty” means the “liberty” to discriminate against LGBTQ folks. Advocates of both have invoked Christ. But Christ no more died on the cross so you … Continue reading
If Jesus going to the Cross was all about love, why do I see so much hatred and judgment in churches?
This year’s Easter sermon responded to”Five Easter Questions to Answer for Millennials.” Here is an excerpt, responding to the question in this post’s title. . . Hatred and judgment in churches. As a pastor, should I be defensive? No. As a … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
3 Comments
The Unexpected Pastor’s Best Picture Countdown 2016
It’s time for my annual ranking of the films nominated for Best Picture. As in the past, these are not predictions, but rather my opinion of which films are most worthy to win the Best Picture Oscar. (In fact my #8 … Continue reading
Posted in Arts and Culture, film, Movies, Uncategorized
Tagged 2016 Oscars, Academy Awards, Brooklyn, Christian film review, The Revenant
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Tamir: A Confession
I am complicit in your death, Tamir, and in the life-negating injustice which followed. I have never feared for my children’s safety in the presence of police officers. But police officers gunned you down as you played with a pellet … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Racism, Uncategorized
Tagged cleveland, injustice, take our country back, Tamir Rice, white complicity
3 Comments
“The Force Awakens” – A Christmas (Eve) Sermon
(You can listen to a podcast of this message here. The telling of the Christmas Gospel on which it is based, Luke 2:1-20, can be heard here.) If the Star Wars universe was Lutheran, every time someone said, “May the … Continue reading
The Unexpected Pastor 