Category Archives: spirituality

The True Meaning of Easter

Posted on April 21, 2014 by tmrichmond3

Every December we hear the question, “What is the meaning of Christmas?” But I don’t remember every hearing an Easter equivalent of that. In December we get a mix of Jesus and Santa and angels and reindeer, and It’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, ministry, spirituality, Worship | Leave a comment

The Down Side of Getting Better

Posted on March 12, 2014 by tmrichmond3

So you start that diet, only to find you are now tempted by foods you previously had no interest in eating. Or you want the quick fix for your problems. Or want to test someone’s love. Or you just feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus, Lent, Love, Marriage, spirituality, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ashes to Go

Posted on March 5, 2014 by tmrichmond3

Father Joel, Mike and I hit the streets of Medford for our first Ashes to Go, where we offered the imposition of ashes to anyone who came by. Most people politely refused, but about half asked what Ash Wednesday was. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ash Wednesday, Church, Emergent Church, spirituality | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

  GOSPEL MATTHEW 5:21-37 21“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother … Continue reading →

Posted on February 18, 2014 by tmrichmond3 | 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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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