Shows
The Lutheran PodcastLife in the Shadow of Death, Third Week of Social Distancing (Lent 5,)We hear a story of Ezekiel, who found himself brought to a valley of dry bones by the Spirit of the Lord and asked the question, "mortal, can these bones live?".We hear of the death of Lazarus, and witness Jesus meeting Martha and then Mary in the road to abide with them in their grief. Throughout Scripture, joy and sorrow messily mingle, yet we see that God doesn't hurry either of them. God is the One Who Abides. In this moment of forced abiding, we stand in a space between the world as...2020-03-3119 minThe Lutheran PodcastScripture & Sermon Only: The Second Sunday of Social Distancing (also Lent 4A)Phil, Sergey, & Pastor Eric gathered for worship this morning. This is for those who aren’t able to attend worship in person. What do we do when everything is crazy and we don't know which way to turn? We give thanks that even when everything has changed around us, God is with us.Scriptures:Psalm 23John Chapter 9 (all of it)2020-03-2436 minThe Lutheran PodcastThe Second Sunday of Social Distancing - Complete Version (also Lent 4A)Phil, Sergey, & Pastor Eric gathered for worship Sunday morning. This is for those who aren’t able to attend worship in person. Please sing along, pray along, and worship along with us!Scriptures:Psalm 23John Chapter 9 (all of it)Music:Amazing Grace, My Chains Are GonePrecious Lord, Take My HandJesus Keep Me Near the CrossJoin us in giving thanks to God in worship, trusting in God’s mercy and love.2020-03-2433 minThe Lutheran PodcastNick at Night (1 of 2): An Openness to Hope (Lent 2A LCOR, Foxboro)This is Part 1 of a two-part sermon, handily identifiable by the label, “Part 2”. (Here’s a link to Part 2: https://www.buzzsprout.com/132881/2958346)Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night. Part of what he was looking for was whether this was a crazy guy who just drove people out of the temple due to his own delusions of grandeur, or whether this was the principled action of someone sent by God to call people to some renewed sense of faithfulness. I don’t know that Nicodemus went in “believing in” Jesus, but I do think that...2020-03-0916 minThe Lutheran PodcastNick at Night (Part 2 of 2): Born Again, Again (Lent 2A, LCOR, Foxboro)This is Part 2 of a two-part sermon. While you can listen to either one and have a “whole” sermon, part 1 is handily titled “Nick at Night (Part 1 of 2)”. (Here’s a link to Part 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/132881/2958247)Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, and he had some hard questions for Jesus. His most significant struggle was how to deal with Jesus’ statement that he needs to be born again from above, and by water and Spirit, in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus asks some heavy questions of Jesus trying to get him to...2020-03-0923 minThe Lutheran PodcastThe Temptation Triathalon: Love that is not fragile even when we are. (The LCOR, Foxboro Lent 1AYeah, I said it: Temptation is tempting.What?It is; otherwise it would be called “the thing that I saw but didn’t feel compelled to take even a second look”; and part of what makes the temptation of Jesus an event worth mentioning is that in order for it to be called “the temptation of Jesus”, temptation has to be something that’s tempting for him, too. Yes, the fact that the Divine and Human natures both exist within Jesus means that he has a capacity to resist temptation and fully trust in God’s providence t...2020-03-0222 minThe Lutheran PodcastLiving in the Spirit Found in the Letter (830 The LCOR, Epiphany 6A)Today’s teaching is challenging for those of us who are human beings because it cuts to the heart of the most damaging and lasting effects of Sin and how it affects every aspect of our lives. This is a text where Jesus speaks clearly about divorce, but it’s spoken in the cultural context of his time and place. Jesus speaks clearly about anger and swearing, and when we dig in deeper, we see that this is more complex than we might otherwise imagine. Moses urges his people to “choose life”. When we hear the law, o...2020-02-1618 minThe Lutheran PodcastI Fought the Law... (11am The LCOR, Epiphany 5A)Late post...this is from February 9...oops. :)When we hear that Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, it can fill us with some rightful dread because usually when someone talks about God’s laws, it isn’t because they plan to regale us with tales of God’s love for creation.Jesus says in the Gospel that he didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. What IS the law that Jesus fulfills? How can we ever live into the righteousness of God when we so often rebe...2020-02-1619 minThe Lutheran PodcastI Fought the Law...and Surrendered (830 The LCOR, Epiphany 5A)Late post...this is from February 9...oops. :)When we hear that Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, it can fill us with some rightful dread because usually when someone talks about God’s laws, it isn’t because they plan to regale us with tales of God’s love for creation.Jesus says in the Gospel that he didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. What IS the law that Jesus fulfills? How can we ever live into the righteousness of God when we so often rebe...2020-02-1618 minThe Lutheran PodcastPodcast Unplugged: Legacies of Love: Sowing What We Will Not Reap (LCOR 11am Luke 2:22-40, Presentation of Our Lord)We’re a results-oriented society, and it’s often challenging to think about doing things that we can’t see to completion. This week we celebrated The Presentation of Our Lord, a minor feast day that commemorates the presentation of Jesus to the Temple, and Simeon and Anna were there to see him. Simeon was promised that he wouldn’t die until he saw the Messiah. Anna was a widow who had served the temple for many years following the death of her husband. Both saw Jesus and rejoiced, seeing that generations of hope and faith in the promi...2020-02-0720 minThe Lutheran PodcastChoosy Choosers Choose Jesus - Unplugged (1030 LCOR Epiphany 3A)This is from the 1030 service, and apparently my microphone failed. Thus, enjoy the unplugged version, featuring occasional pocket scratches and strange noises that I choose to interpret as the rustling of the Spirit... :) When we choose anything, we also choose against other options. One of the most challenging parts of discipleship isn’t choosing those things that we like over and above the things we don’t like, but making the choices that force us to choose against things we want — sometimes things we’ve wanted our whole lives. The disciples chose to follow Jesus, and in doi...2020-01-3018 minThe Lutheran PodcastChoosy Choosers Choose Jesus (830 LCOR Epiphany 3A)When we choose anything, we also choose against other options. One of the most challenging parts of discipleship isn’t choosing those things that we like over and above the things we don’t like, but making the choices that force us to choose against things we want — sometimes things we’ve wanted our whole lives. The disciples chose to follow Jesus, and in doing so they left behind their careers, their families, their old lives — and sometimes even their names — and engaged in a new risky venture with this new teacher who was taking on the mantle of Joh...2020-01-2816 minThe Lutheran PodcastInnocents Lost (Christmas 1A LCOR Matthew 2)This Sunday of Christmas we commemorate the slaughter of the innocents, the dreams that lead the Holy Family to flee to Egypt, and wrestle with the ways human nature hasn’t changed as much as we’d like...and maybe neither had our situation. 2019-12-2914 minThe Lutheran PodcastChristmas Hype: My Best Tuesday Sermon? (9pm LCOR 2019 Christmas Eve)We try so hard to make everything live up to the hype, but life sometimes disappoints; people disappoint; life just doesn’t seem to live up to what’s advertised. At Christmas we look to the promise of Messiah and wonder — can God’s promises made over generations and millennia live up to the hype?When we meet God, it never goes like we expect. The good news is that God’s faithfulness always lives up to the hype.2019-12-2511 minThe Lutheran PodcastChristmas Hype (5pm LCOR 2019 Christmas Eve)We try so hard to make everything live up to the hype, but life sometimes disappoints; people disappoint; life just doesn’t seem to live up to what’s advertised. At Christmas we look to the promise of Messiah and wonder — can God’s promises made over generations and millennia live up to the hype?When we meet God, it never goes like we expect. The good news is that God’s faithfulness always lives up to the hype.2019-12-2514 minThe Lutheran PodcastGod Adopted (830 LCOR Advent 4A Matthew 1 18-25)So often we think of family as being the people we’re born with. In God’s family, and throughout the whole of Scripture, we see something different: we are the family of God though adoption, and the miracle of Christmas is the final adoption of creation by God as Jesus adopts human flesh to become one of us. The Fourth Sunday of Advent offers a more subtle Christmas miracle though, that through Joseph’s faithfulness, humanity adopts God right back. In Christ through baptism, we enter God’s family through adoption, and it’s a family in...2019-12-2210 minThe Lutheran PodcastPerfectly Messy is Oerfrcly Normal (LCOR 830 Advent 3A)Jesus hears from John the Baptist a question: “are you the one, or are we supposed to keep waiting for someone else?”. Jesus answers by pointing to healings, signs, and miracles — and then takes a direct shot at the powers of the world with a message that the Kingdom of God is not some reed easily shaken, but robust and blooming even in the least hospitable places.How do we respond to the Messiah we have when we’re challenged by the one that we want?What about all these questions we continue to have?God i...2019-12-1515 minThe Lutheran PodcastRepentance & Fire (LCOR 830am Advent 2A)John the Baptist was more than some strange desert guy who preached about fire and repentance to a few people, he was more than some strange desert guy who preached about fire and repentance to huge crowds from across the countryside. How does this message of repentance from so long ago relate to us today in a day when what we want is almost singularly important? How do we hear this message of fire and forgiveness in a world that tells us that our sins exclude us from being able to be a part of th...2019-12-0915 minThe Lutheran PodcastMaking Peace With Conflict (LCOR, Foxboro Luke 20 20-37)We find ourselves conflicted about a lot of articles of faith, not the least of which is the resurrection of the body. In a world that’s so contentious, knowing that our humanity permeates even the Church where we think we’re supposed to be somehow “better” than we are everywhere else (prepare to be disappointed), somehow conflict remains a reality of our lives. How can we trust in the promises of God when we can’t even trust ourselves not to be jerks?2019-11-1417 minThe Lutheran PodcastMike Taylor Funeral Homily (LCOR, Foxboro John 14 1-7)Preached for the funeral of Mike Taylor at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Foxboro on Saturday November 9, 2019.2019-11-1109 minThe Lutheran PodcastCertainty Without Answers (11am LCOR, Foxboro Luke 20:27-38)There is so much we want to know but can’t ever be certain about, and one of the most prevalent issues we face is the understanding of the Christian belief in the resurrection of the body. What’s that mean? What age body, what health of the body, what’s healed and what remains? Sometimes we get no answers, but trusting in the fact that God is faithful leads us into the ability to be certain without clutching for answers. When we trust God, even though we might not know, we can gain a comfort...2019-11-1017 minThe Lutheran PodcastSpeaking the Unspeakable for All the Saints (11am at LCOR All Saints Day Luke 6:20-31)Loss changes us, grief changes us, and the way we feel compelled to keep our humanity secret changes us in ways that eat away at our hearts. How can we live in the joy and sorrow that exist together and speak the truth that our world needs to hear? We are not alone. God is with us and has given us to each other in community so that whether we’re laughing or crying, we never do it alone.2019-11-0322 minThe Lutheran PodcastFor All the Imperfect Saints, Even When We’re Enemies (830 at LCOR All Saints Day Luke 6:20-31When we hear that someone is a saint, we get all sorts of different images. When we find ourselves on the wrong side of love it often makes us feel like that kind of holiness is out of our reach. While it goes against our every impulse, we know that one thing remains true about Jesus and his enemies: he loves them, and this love changes everything.How can this love change you?2019-11-0317 minThe Lutheran PodcastReformation? Isn’t that the day when we wait to see if Martin Luther sees his shadow? (LCOR 11am John 8 31-36)We live in a culture that has its own measure of time and meaning that takes place away from the Church. How do we reform our understanding and thinking in a way that helps us engage a culture that doesn’t seem to be made for all of us to tell them that God is creating a world that is made for us — all of us — even if we don’t know how to see it?2019-10-2720 minThe Lutheran PodcastMeeting Jesus at Dunks (LCOR 830 Luke 18:1-8)What do a widow fighting with an unjust judge, Jacob using his family as protection against a brother who might still want to murder him, and Dunkin Donuts all have in common? This Sunday I could spend weeks unpacking the texts from the Bible, but I stopped at Dunks for a sandwich and met Jesus out front, and it changed everything I had planned. We meet Jesus in the strangest places, but we always find him at the point where our humanity leaves us open to the experience of the Divine, whose love causes a po...2019-10-2317 minThe Lutheran PodcastI Met Jesus at Dunks This Morning (LCOR 1100 Luke 18:1-8)What do a widow fighting with an unjust judge, Jacob using his family as protection against a brother who might still want to murder him, and Dunkin Donuts all have in common? This Sunday I could spend weeks unpacking the texts from the Bible, but I stopped at Dunks for a sandwich and met Jesus out front, and it changed everything I had planned. We meet Jesus in the strangest places, but we always find him at the point where our humanity leaves us open to the experience of the Divine, whose love causes a po...2019-10-2016 minThe Lutheran PodcastThe Gift of Strangers (LCOR Luke 17:11-19)We make a lot of assumptions about ourselves and the people around us. For instance, we assume that just because we grew up in a place we understand it better than just about anyone else. Sometimes familiarity doesn’t make us the experts we think it does, but it takes someone from the outside to help us gain a more true perspective on things.Today, we learn from the Samaritan who returned to give thanks for healing and from the Syrian general Naaman (who washed in the Jordan and was cleansed of his leprosy) that there’s a lo...2019-10-1319 minThe Lutheran PodcastEnough (830 @ LCOR, Foxboro Luke 17:5-10)Sometimes the choices we make dictate the kind of response we get. Through the sayings of Jesus we learn many things, and today we learn that even when all we have is a little, God can make it enough.2019-10-0820 minThe Lutheran PodcastEnough (11am at LCOR, Foxboro Luke 17:5-10“Increase our faith”, said the disciples. They must have known that making a request like this of Jesus is a risky proposition. The law tells us that we have to guard what we have because it’s likely to run out. The Gospel tells us that when all we have is a little, God will make it enough.2019-10-0620 minThe Lutheran PodcastI Pity the Fool (Silverstreet, Silverstreet)This is probably the last sermon I'll preach as a pastor in the South Carolina Synod or as an assistant to the bishop. It's weird to think of this ending because I feel like I still have plenty to do, but then I saw this Gospel reading and remembered that it's not really about my plans, but about what God has planned for me.How do we respond to the times in life where what we want conflicts with what God has prepared? How do we reconcile the cold reality that lays waste to our plans?2019-08-0620 minThe Lutheran PodcastHow Am I a Neighbor? (St. James, Summit - Luke 10:25-37)The question "Who is my neighbor?" is a stunningly relevant question today, as the US immigration services prepare to deport members of some 2000 families over the next few days. More, it's stunningly relevant to our lives, as we continue to struggle with how we can care for "those people" whoever they might be when they make us so mad, frustrated, frightened, or stressed. Fortunately for us, the question "Who is my neighbor?" is answered for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus — everyone is my neighbor. Unfortunately for us, the challenge Jesus levels at the lawyer is...2019-07-1427 minThe Lutheran PodcastGod the OG (Original Gardener) (St. Michael, Greenville)We often think of God as the most powerful being in the universe, but God teaches us that powerful leadership looks like service. What if God is not the landowner, but the Gardener?2019-04-0215 minThe Lutheran PodcastLife in an Older Brother Culture (Orangeburg, Orangeburg)"There was a father who had two sons", the story goes. A question this week shaped how I hear this story, "who is missing?". As I wrestled with that question, another thought came to my mind: we live in an Older Brother culture. How do we begin to deal with this fact, and how can we begin to overcome the jealous judgementalism that gets in our way when it comes to accepting the unfair love of God, who calls us to the feast with "those people" who we know are not deserving?2019-04-0225 minThe Lutheran PodcastMeeting God In (and Out of) Good Church People (Good Shepherd, Columbia)Have you ever wondered why God called you, or how you could possibly be worthy of a calling? Yeah...me too...and Isaiah too...and Paul too...and Peter too.God equips us to do what we're called to do in surprising ways!2019-02-1023 minThe Lutheran PodcastSilent Night — Guitar OnlyI'm not particularly known for nuance or sensitivity, and when I describe my guitar playing I often tell people that God gave me only two tools, a hammer and a guitar, and I'm likely as not to use both together. Having said that, here's a fingerpicked version of Silent Night. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or whatever floats your boat and increases your love for yourself, other people, and helps reveal to you the mystery of the Divine.2018-12-0901 min
The Lutheran PodcastIf Christ is King (Faith, West Columbia)We live in a nation that lifts up our individuality as an idol, and pushes an angry guy false god as the deity of a cultural religion that has many people convinced that to be Christian means to pick and choose who's in and who's out. This false god is vengeful, and even its love looks like wrath.What would it look like if we professed the one true God whose love looks loving as loudly as those who declare that false god who is just waiting to beat us down and punish us forever?...2018-11-2521 minThe Lutheran PodcastSuffering: Not My Favorite Thing (King of Glory, North Myrtle Beach, 830 Service)We are called to do many things in our lifetime. Some of them are wonderful, like eating steak; others are not, like eating salad. As we approach Thanksgiving, a holiday that for me has always been more about food and family than the generosity of Native Americans toward the struggling Pilgrims, we explore the purpose of suffering, something against which I have a general policy. In our suffering, in our doubt, in our failures, in our grieving, God is not a fair weather friend. God is with us, and chooses to sit in that space with us r...2018-11-2321 minThe Lutheran PodcastRed Slushees & Garlic Bread: It all belongs to God (St. Timothy’s, Midland, Michigan)In a world where we try to possess everything, how do live in the knowledge that EVERYTHING belongs to God, and that we follow God - who gives everything away leaving nothing behind, and calls us to do the same?Preached at St. Timothy’s in Midland, Michigan (I’m the North/West Lower Michigan Synod) because the pastor there got sick and we had an abundance of pastors present at the first ever Mitten Synod Youth Summit!Thanks to Trinity, Midland for hosting us this weekend and to Pastors Danielle and Megan for your hosp...2018-11-1116 minThe Lutheran PodcastFree Love in a Transactional World (Reformation at St. John's, Irmo)Faith is about more than being a good person, it's about finding freedom from the things that enslave us. How do we embrace the love that sets us free?2018-10-2819 minThe Lutheran PodcastCreated to be Different (St. Matthews, Lexington Homecoming Mark 10:2-16)so often we hear the words of the Bible as law — what we HAVE to do. How do we change the way we hear these verses that discuss things like divorce so that we can instead hear them as words of promise about who we were created to be, about relationship, about love, and about hope so that we can dwell in the love that only God has to offer?We learn to approach God and each other more honestly and openly every day, and every day, God welcomes us home.2018-10-0727 minThe Lutheran PodcastBible in One Hand (St. John, Pomaria Mark 9:38-50)Carl Barth instructed us to preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, but what do we do when the newspaper has stories like it did this week? How do we in the Church live out the culture of Jesus Christ in a world where the culture of society is so different? How do we live lives that love and respect others when we're told so many people are disposable?2018-09-3029 minThe Lutheran PodcastOur Racing Hearts Are Open (Augsburg, Union Homecoming)The audio is terrible because of pocket noise despite the microphone, I apologize!!!
We all experience times when our hearts are closed off, when our hearts are racing and we don’t know what to do because were afraid or anxious, when we find ourselves trapped by our opinions or preconceive notion‘s. How do we answer the call of God who commands us to be open even when we think the matter is settled? 2018-09-0920 minThe Lutheran PodcastThe Food We Seek (Homecoming at Mt. Calvary, Johnston)Jesus sees the crowds return after feeding them and realizes a hard truth: they don't get it, and they never will. Why are WE seeking Jesus: because our bellies are full, or because we have caught a glimpse of the Kingdom of God?2018-08-0518 minThe Lutheran PodcastCalling and Cross BearingWhen God calls, it's often to places that make us uncomfortable. How can we answer God's call faithfully when we usually want to be comfortable more than anything else?2018-02-2524 minThe Lutheran PodcastRough Roads, New Hope (Advent 3 at Pleasant Springs at Christ Mission - Mark 1:1-8)In this moment of uncertainty and growing conflict, the truth people tell about the world is a truth we're tempted to believe. Through the waters of baptism, God calls us to believe a new truth: that this broken world is a place that God loves; a place for which God has a plan. How will you be a part of this new truth and live into your part of God's plan?2017-12-1018 minThe Lutheran PodcastReconciled to Christ (Christ the King Sunday at Reformation, Columbia)Preaching at our home congregation while Pastor Tim is away, I pondered what it means that Reformation is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, and am convinced that in order to be a congregation or a Christian who is reconciling in Christ, we must be reconciled to Christ our King.
How do we deal with a king in a land where we proclaim democracy?
How can we live into the values that our King commands?
How do we reconcile with our goatish nature in a kingdom built for sheep?
#scsynod #elca #chirsttheking #christourking2017-12-0218 min
The Lutheran PodcastAlways Reforming (Redeemer, Columbia)2017-10-2716 min
The Lutheran PodcastAngry Enough to Die (Homecoming at St. Thomas, Chapin Matthew 20)How do we handle an unfair justice or undeserved mercy? Living in the Kingdom of God is like this.2017-09-2419 min
The Lutheran PodcastAs We Forgive (Cedar Grove, Leesville Homecoming- Matthew 18)Forgiveness is a road to freedom. #asweforgive #scsynod #elca2017-09-2124 min
The Lutheran PodcastStorms and Silence (St. Johannes, Charleston installation of Rev. Shrum)In a time of storms, where can we find space to encounter God?#scsynod #elca2017-08-1321 min
The Lutheran PodcastLiving With the Enemy (Providence, Lexington - Matthew 13)I'm the words of Opus, "we have met the enemy and it is us".2017-07-3117 min
The Lutheran PodcastWe Are Soil (Wittenberg, Batesburg-LeesvilleWe are soil, but what kind?2017-07-1620 min
The Lutheran PodcastHearts of Dirt (Wittenberg, Batesburg-Leesville 11amJesus's Parable of the Sower is widely known, but how do we fit in? What kind of soil is my heart? And who will hear this without ears?2017-07-1620 min
The Lutheran PodcastRest (St. John's, Spartanburg)The editing tool is broken. The sermon begins at around 10 minutes with "I think we may have a future pastor in here".2017-07-1628 min
The Lutheran PodcastGo! (St. Matthias, Easley)What are we called to do as the Church? Leave our buildings and be in the world, share the love of God and the good news that the Kingdom is near.2017-07-0926 min
The Lutheran PodcastLCY President Ben Bernstein, 2017 LCY Convention SermonThe Gospel text was John 8:31-36. Each year at LCY Convention, the president delivers our sermon at Sunday worship. This year was President Ben Bernstein, completing his second term, who have a word of hope and grace, clearly digging deep into the experience and maturity he's gained over the last two years. This is definitely worth listening to! #sclcy #standfree #scsynod #elca2017-06-1907 min
The Lutheran PodcastGod Speaking Our Language (Pentecost at Trinity, Fairfax Parish)The miracle of Pentecost is heading God speak in the language we can understand.2017-06-0421 min
The Lutheran PodcastA New Kind of Miracle (Pentecost at St. Nicholas, Fairfax Parish)When we hear of the miracles in the Bible, we often mistake why they're important. Miracles are important because they reveal the glory of God in a language our hearts can comprehend. How will you reveal God's glory in a way others can understand and be the miracle of God's love in your life?2017-06-0418 min
The Lutheran PodcastA Joy Complete (Installation of Rev. Michele Fischer at Good Shepherd, Swansea)It was a pleasure to join the fine Lutherans at Good Shepherd, Swansea for the installation of Rev. Michele Fischer. What is this relationship between pastor and congregation about? Is it about looking each other and making each other happy, or is it about something more real, more lasting, more holy?#scsynod #elca2017-05-1313 min
The Lutheran PodcastSt. Paul, Aiken, Second Service2017-05-1316 min
The Lutheran PodcastGod in Our Brokenness (830 St. Paul, AikenHow do we experience the presence of God? It helps to know where to look. #scsynod #elca2017-04-3017 min
The Lutheran PodcastCrown in Sunday, Cross on Friday (University, Clemson. Palm Sunday)The identity of Jesus is something that affects Christians and non-Christians alike. How does who we believe Jesus to be affect the way we understand the world's and ourselves? #PalmSunday #scsynod #elca #unilu2017-04-0915 min
The Lutheran PodcastThe Problem With Temptation: It's Too Tempting (Bethlehem, IRemaining faithful in the face of temptation is hard...that's why it's called temptation. How do we live in God's Kingdom when we know we're weak? Where we are weak, God is strong.2017-03-0526 min
The Lutheran PodcastLove Your Enemies? Why is this so hard? (Joy, Moore -Matthew 5:38-48)Forgive the rustling noises, new mic is on the way!We hear Jesus' command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us and want to ignore it. But this is central to the call to the Christian life. In this, we discover the true presence and love of God. #loveyourhaters2017-02-1918 min
The Lutheran PodcastChoose Life (11am All Saints, Mt. Pleasant)I'm a world that gives us the equivalent of cultural and spiritual candy, sink your teeth into truth. #chooselife #elca #scsynod #meatisgood2017-02-1221 min
The Lutheran PodcastWater, and Words of Life (Matthew 3:13-17)What would you do to hear God's words of love spoken into your life? #baptism #scsynod #elca2017-01-0819 min
The Lutheran PodcastWhen We Don't Know (Matthew 2:13-23)How do we deal with not knowing, not being in control, not feeling like enough? We embrace this as the reality in which we live and trust in God's presence and mercy to handle what we can't know, control, or handle. #giveitup #scsynod #elca2017-01-0828 min
The Lutheran PodcastGod is With Us (Faith, West Columbia)An angel tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. What if fear isn't his first emotion? How do we recover from the pain of relationships and fear of broken trust? #Advent #Godwithus #scsynod #elca2016-12-1816 min
The Lutheran PodcastAdvent 1: Slaying the Demon of Doomsday (Macedonia, Prosperity)This sermon is different than I planned, it's a more personal reflection on the danger of giving into the idea of a wrathful god when the God who loves us is the true God than I intended originally. What does it look like to reimagine our preconceptions about the "End Times" in light of the long history we have with misunderstanding the Messiah, God's plans for creation, and what it means to be the Church?#elca #scsynod #Advent #apocalypse #endoftheworldasweknowit #ifeelfine2016-11-2829 min
The Lutheran PodcastFirst Day Doomsday(Macedonia, Prosperity 830)First Sunday of Advent, first end of the world reading!2016-11-2718 min
The Lutheran PodcastWhat Does It Mean That Jesus is Our King? (Hand in Hand)This was a sermon for worship at our Hand in Hand service camp for SCLCY (South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth). We wrestled with the question of what it means to worship the King who calls us into community in a nation that values freedom as individuals?2016-11-2718 min
The Lutheran PodcastThis is Who WE Are (Good Shepherd, Swansea Luke 215-19)Following the most divisive election in maybe any of our lifetimes, when identity politics and character assassination was the normal routine rather than issues, who are we?Children's sermon at the end.2016-11-1327 min
The Lutheran PodcastReformation Forever: Marked, Sealed, and Sent (St. Mark's, Isle of Palms)What new things is God doing in us? Joining in with what God's doing in the world in and through us. #reformation #elca #scsynod2016-10-3026 min
The Lutheran PodcastHard to Be Humble (Bethel, White Rock)Recognizing our pain, brokenness, and need for repentance is a challenge in a world that encourages us to boast and show off – especially since some of us are prone to do this anyway. What does it mean to live in humility and seek to increase God's plan, not our fame?2016-10-3020 min
The Lutheran PodcastWrestling With God, or Faith is a Cage Match (St. James # Graniteville Luke 18:1-8)What do we do when we're sucking to keep our head above water and we just can't cling to Faith? Let go, trust God. #wrestling #elca #scsynod2016-10-1621 min
The Lutheran PodcastIncrease Our Faith (Sandy Run, Swansea - Luke 17:1-5)What does it mean to have faith? How do we trust God? Can we even be faithful?God is able. #scsynod #elca #mustardseed #faith2016-10-0217 min
The Lutheran PodcastWhen God Repents (Reformation, Columbia on the 15th Anniversary of 9-11)We all respond to tragedy differently, but one trait we share is a desire for justice; the problem is that justice doesn't satisfy like vengeance. How do we balance our desire for vengeance with Jesus' command to love and God's example of sacrifice? #remember911 #neverforget #elca #scsynod Children's sermon is at the end2016-09-1131 min
The Lutheran PodcastBold to be Humble (Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Newberry - Luke 14)How do we answer the call to share the good news boldly without it all going to our head?2016-08-2817 min
The Lutheran PodcastFear Not, no matter what they say (Summer Memorial, Newberry)How do we avoid fear when there are so many scary things? God is with us, and though we fear, we hope.2016-08-0724 min
The Lutheran PodcastFaith in Violence (Reformation, Columbia special service)I was asked to speak at this service of healing in the wake of another the slaying of police officers and the more unarmed black men on behalf of Bishop Yoos. The topic was a response to violence in faith. What I realized is that in order to respond faithfully we most first put down our faith in and faithfulness to violent ideology. How can we put down the sword and take up the cross?2016-07-2211 min
The Lutheran PodcastWho is my Neighbor? (Reformation, Columbia)"Who is my neighbor?", asks a lawyer looking for a loophole. Jesus' response is both high challenge and good news - everyone. What does this hard teaching mean? The children's sermon is at the end. There's a deep theological discussion about Batman and whether he needs neighbors. #helloneighbor #scsynod #elca2016-07-1028 min
The Lutheran PodcastStand Free! (Mt. Tabor, West Columbia at 11am Service)In Christ we stand free from our desires and free to do God's will. #scsynod #elca #standfreeAfter the sermon (~19:15) is the children's sermon, where I was helped by an enthusiastic child, probably a future pastor.2016-06-2625 min
The Lutheran PodcastFreedom! (Mt. Tabor, West Columbia)What does it really mean to be free? #scsynod #elca #freedom #standfree2016-06-2614 min
The Lutheran PodcastBen Bernstein, LCY President - 2016 LCY Convention Sermon, "I Don't Get It, God"Every year the President of South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth preaches at our annual convention. This is his excellent sermon, "I Don't Get It, God", given on Sunday June 19 at Wiles Chapel at Newberry College. #sclcy #dolovewalk #standfree #scsynod #elca2016-06-2009 min
The Lutheran PodcastThine (and not mine) is the Power (St. David, West Columbia)Jesus possesses the authority to heal and bless whether nearby or far away. How do we, who like to be in charge deal with the fact that all power belongs to God? #elca #scsynod #power #itallbelongstoGod2016-05-2915 min
The Lutheran PodcastFestival of Well Meant Heresy (St. Matthews, Charleston)The Trinity is one of the great mysteries of our faith. How do we give it the attention it deserves without falling into the pitfalls of bad Theology?The answer is all about relationship.2016-05-2710 min
The Lutheran PodcastFuneral Sermon for Grace Weed (Christus Victor, Columbia)Funeral Sermon for Grace Weed (Christus Victor, Columbia)God's house has many rooms, and they're all chock full of God's people living and breathing as the hands and feet of Jesus. As we remember Grace, we remember that her favorite story to tell is the story of Jesus.2016-05-0507 min
The Lutheran PodcastDesperately Seeking Peace (Cross & Crown, Florence)Where do we find the love that makes us whole?2016-05-0120 min
The Lutheran PodcastCaught Naked (Gethsemane, Columbia)We all long to hear words of grace in times of trouble, and those are sometimes the hardest words for is to believe. God calls us by name and loves every part of us, even when we're convinced there's not much worth loving. #scsynod #elca #fishingnaked2016-04-1021 min
The Lutheran PodcastSeeking Peace (St. John's, Spartanburg 11am Service)2016-04-1017 min
The Lutheran PodcastJesus Finding Us (St. Andrews, Blythewood)God's love is the story of love that does not die, that calls us out of our fear and into me life. #fishingnaked #scsynod #elca2016-04-1021 min
The Lutheran PodcastPeace in the midst of Doubt - St. John's, Spartanburg 9amWe seek peace, Thomas doubts, God is faithful.2016-04-0317 min
The Lutheran Podcastpleasant Springs at Christ Mission (3/13)I had the pleasure to be with PSCM this week, and shared the good news of Jesus!2016-04-0318 min
The Lutheran PodcastStanding in the Presence of God (Amazing Grace & Crossroads • Transfiguration Sunday)We all want to build booths and monuments to those times in life when the veil drops and we experience those moments of heaven on earth. How do we learn to cow with the call to return to daily life when we just want to stay in that moment?2016-02-0736 min
The Lutheran PodcastThe Love That Endures (St. Luke, Florence 1030 & 830 • Luke 4)What is the love that will last? How do we find it, how do we keep it? #scsynod #elca #love2016-01-3140 min
The Lutheran PodcastBaptism: Seeing the Face of God (Grace, Rock Hill - Luke 3)In baptism we're given new life. As God's children, we show the world the fave of God in all we do and say.2016-01-1016 min
The Lutheran PodcastThe Power of Our New Family (Grace, Rock Hill - Luke 3)The family of God is a strong family, with all the beauty and hardships that come with it. #scsynod2016-01-1017 min
The Lutheran PodcastWhy Christmas Matters (Peace, North Charleston — John 1:1-18)How does this creation story speak to us in ways that make a difference today? #elca #scsynod #christmas2016-01-0325 min
The Lutheran PodcastGreat Expectations, Great Disappointments (Mt. Calvary, Johnston - Advent 4)Great Expectations, Great DisappointmentsJohn laps for joy in his mother's womb when Mary arrives pregnant, but would be new this excited if he knew the Messiah that God sent is different than the one for whom he hoped?#elca #scsynod #advent2015-12-2016 min
The Lutheran PodcastAsking Questions in a World of Answers (Advent 3 at St. John's, Clinton)We find the brokenness within us to be so much more convincing than the truth of our value. We desire easy answers — or if not easy, at least one we can find. But God calls to us in relationship and relationship is always messy. God calls us to a faith of seeking and questioning in a World that values answers.2015-12-1321 min