Author Archives: tmrichmond3

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.

Posted on November 1, 2019 by tmrichmond3

The idea of an author leaving their publisher because, “he had sold too many copies of her books,” is about as believable as an alcoholic leaving his bartender because she didn’t water his drinks down enough. But that is exactly … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Novels, Religious Literature, Susan Howatch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The One About Faith and Flags

Posted on September 7, 2019 by tmrichmond3

Whether or not we should fly an American Flag in places of worship Continue reading →

Posted in Global Christianity, Pastoral Ministry, Patriotism, religion and politics, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Praying the Psalms in Detention

Posted on July 20, 2019 by tmrichmond3

Every morning, when I do my morning devotions, I read from the Psalms.  About every two months I work my way through all the Psalms at least once. Psalms are prayers, so when I say I read through, I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Current Events, Devotional, Evil, Immigration, Lament, Mission, Old Testament, Prayer, Psalms, religion and politics, Social Justice, Social Ministry, Spiritual Growth, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Persistence of Memory

Posted on July 1, 2019 by tmrichmond3

  Memory and the Magic of Music A few years ago I was relaxing on the Saturday night before Easter. The sermon had been written and rehearsed, the service was all set to go, and I could just sit back … Continue reading →

Posted in Communion, Community, Hope, Joy, Lament, Psalms, Relationships, Sermons | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Shall Know the Blues–and the Blues Will Set You Free

Posted on June 24, 2019 by tmrichmond3

  The Delta Blues If you leave Memphis, Tennessee and drive south, you run right into the Mississippi delta. The Delta takes in parts of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana that lie between the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. This area contains … Continue reading →

Posted in Blues, Delta Blues, Lament, Preaching, Psalms, Sermons, Spiritual Growth, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Posted on June 24, 2019 by tmrichmond3

  The Universe and Us I want to start this by asking you to look at the photo here.  Few years ago some scientists pointed the Hubble Deep Space telescope into what looked like an empty part of space. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Emergency, Current Events, Psalms, Sermons, Social Justice, Social Ministry, Spiritual Growth, spirituality, Theology, Trinity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Out of this World

Posted on June 10, 2019 by tmrichmond3

  Sailing Ships About ten years ago I started reading the novels of Patrick O’Brien. If you are familiar with his work, you know he writes about the captain of a sailing ship in the early 1800s. He writes about … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ecclesiastes for Everyday: Day 20

Posted on March 28, 2019 by tmrichmond3

The one where Qohelet talks about work.   18 Look, I have seen what is good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastes for Everyone, Lent, Lenten Devotional, Spiritual Growth, spirituality, Uncategorized, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ecclesiastes for Everyday: Day 19

Posted on March 27, 2019 by tmrichmond3

The one where Qohelet talks about money and wealth    13 There is a grievous ill that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owners to their own detriment, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastes for Everyone, Lent, Lenten Devotional, Spiritual Growth, spirituality, Uncategorized, Wealth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ecclesiastes for Everyday: Day 18

Posted on March 26, 2019 by tmrichmond3

The One where Qohelet says that satisfaction is hard to come by.   8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and right, do not be amazed at the matter; for the high … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastes for Everyone, Lent, Lenten Devotional, Satisfaction, Spiritual Growth, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment