Category Archives: religion and politics

A Plea for Unity

Posted on March 18, 2015 by tmrichmond3

A while ago I was asked to prepare a paper for a church was that considering leaving the PC(USA) over the issue of same sex marriage (among other things). This is what I wrote to them. In light of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity and Homosexuality, LGBT, Love, Marriage, Presbyterian, religion and politics, same sex marriage | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Time to Be Weaned

Posted on February 13, 2014 by tmrichmond3

Why is it that we argue about things we cannot change? For example, recently there was a debate between a young earth creationist, and Bill Nye the Science Guy, which was apparently broadcast around the nation. (Full disclosure: I did … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity and Homosexuality, Church, Emergent Church, Jesus, ministry, religion and politics, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Live Salty

Posted on February 12, 2014 by tmrichmond3

  GOSPEL MATTHEW 5:13-20 13“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14“You … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Jesus, ministry, Presbyterian, religion and politics, Sermon on the Mount, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trying to Stand in Fallen World

Posted on February 9, 2014 by tmrichmond3

    One of my favorite songwriters is Pierce Pettis, and one of my favorite songs of his is “Trying to Stand in a Fallen World.” If that does not describe the Christian life today, I don’t know what does. … Continue reading →

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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

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

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

The Sacred

Posted on November 6, 2013 by tmrichmond3

A few years ago I was asked to write about something sacred as a writing exercise. I immediately knew I would be writing about the Magnolia Tree in Reynolda Gardens where I used to hang out when I was a … Continue reading →

Posted in religion and politics | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments