Author Archives: tmrichmond3

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About tmrichmond3

I am the pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Medford, Oregon. I believe that faith should be able to sustain us, not oppress us.

Here Be Dragons

Posted on February 7, 2014 by tmrichmond3

Let me go back to Friedman (and to the early explorers) again. He said that when those explorers headed south to try to fine a new way to China, they hit the end of the world. Not the actual end … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity and Homosexuality, Church, Emergent Church, Jesus, LGBT, ministry, Presbyterian, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Bad Questions Make For Bad Answers

Posted on February 5, 2014 by tmrichmond3

Since the late 1980s, the Presbyterian Church has been asking, “Should we include LGBT people in our congregation, and to what extent?” Perhaps that has been exactly the wrong question, because since the late 1908s the Presbyterian Church has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity and Homosexuality, Church, Jesus, LGBT, ministry, religion and politics, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

MICAH 6:1-8 1   Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. 2   Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has … Continue reading →

Posted on February 4, 2014 by tmrichmond3 | 1 Comment

Jesus Calling

Posted on January 29, 2014 by tmrichmond3

  PSALM 27:1, 4-9 1   The LORD is my light and my salvation;            whom shall I fear?       The LORD is the stronghold of my life;            of whom shall I be afraid? 4   One thing I asked of the LORD,            that will I … Continue reading →

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Wither the Church?

Posted on January 16, 2014 by tmrichmond3

I was talking with a colleague the other day, and we were bemoaning the state of affairs in the Church today, as well as the state of affairs in our own churches. As we were talking, I began to realize … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, ministry, religion and politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

ISAIAH 42:1-9 1   Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2   He will not cry or lift up his voice, … Continue reading →

Posted on January 14, 2014 by tmrichmond3 | Leave a comment

First, a story by Alaska journalist Shannyn Moore: I saw something beautiful tonight. I hesitate to put words on it. I fear I won’t capture all the wonder of beauty. I will try. I stopped at the corner store on … Continue reading →

Posted on January 9, 2014 by tmrichmond3 | 4 Comments

Chosen by God

Posted on January 8, 2014 by tmrichmond3

      PSALM 147:12-20 12  Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!            Praise your God, O Zion!  13  For he strengthens the bars of your gates;            he blesses your children within you.  14  He grants peace within your borders;            he fills you with the finest … Continue reading →

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A Very Messy Salvation

Posted on December 31, 2013 by tmrichmond3

HEBREWS 2:10-18 10It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, religion and politics, Salvation, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The True Meaning of Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2013 by tmrichmond3

This is the Christmas Eve sermon, given during the Service of Lessons and Carols, at First Presbyterian Church in Medford, Oregon, on December 24, 2013.  What is the true meaning of Christmas? I put that on in some online communities … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, religion and politics, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments