(Romans 5:1-5) At first, they were called “embedded menus.” The invention of these menus occurred before any of us had even heard of something called the internet or the World Wide Web. It happened in the dark ages of computer technology, a primeval era in which computers were still large by today’s standards, and data…
(Acts 2:1-21) Two hundred years before the birth of Christ, coal mining started in China. Then, about 800 years later, the first windmill was constructed in Iran. Human beings have always needed power, and for centuries, they have pulled it from both the ground and the air. Around the year 1700, the Maori people began…
(Revelation 22:12-17, 20-21) I think all of mine are on my phone – if and when I can access them. Maybe it’s the same for you or, if you look through your wallet I’m sure you can find several. I’m talking, of course, about Scripture verses because why else would I be up here? Actually,…
(Acts 16:9-15) Purebred bulls and scrub bulls. One hundred years ago, cattle were led into courtrooms, and trials were held in an effort to sort them out. In one case, the defendant’s name was “Mr. Scrub Bull.” According to Duke Magazine, he was escorted by policemen into a makeshift courtroom in Pickens County, South Carolina,…
(Acts 11:1-18) There are some people you just don’t want to say “No” to. You’re asked by the pastor to take a shift at the soup kitchen. Are you going to say, “No”? You might try: 1) No thanks. 2) I think I’ll pass. 3) Maybe another time. 4) Nah, I’d rather stay in bed…
(Revelation 7:9-17) What do you need to become a famous inventor? For most of us, the short list would include things like scientific aptitude, creativity, perseverance, the ability to “think outside the box” and unflappable self-confidence. Beyond these, there’s one other thing that’s absolutely essential: money. It’s one thing to have a good idea. It’s…
(John 21:1-19) Dustin Snyder had enough. He was tired of the long work weeks, low wages and grumpy customers. He was assistant general manager of a McDonald’s restaurant in Bradford, Pa., but in early September 2021, he drafted a petition to the regional office and invited his workers to sign it. “We are all leaving,”…
(Revelation 1:4-8) At the 87th Academy Awards in March 2015, no one was slapped on stage – a statement that really didn’t need to be made until after this year’s awards. Also, Eddie Redmayne won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in “The Theory of Everything,” a fluffy biopic about the life and…
(Mark 16:1-8) The phrase “angel eyes” will conjure up different thoughts based on your age and interests. Older music lovers will think of the 1946 jazz standard popularized by Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. My generation will think of the power ballad of the same name released by The Jeff Healey Band in 1988. Movie…
(Mark 14:22-25) Tonight, there’s blood all over the place in our liturgy, hymns, and Scripture Readings. The sight of blood makes many of us squeamish. Perhaps the bloodiness of our Lectionary Readings strikes you as odd and primitive, even unsettling. So, you need to look under all this blood by hearing the Word of God…