04/21/2025
The Loss of a Great Christian Leader
The death today of Pope Francis was particularly poignant, falling as it did on the day after Easter. As Protestant Christians we have a once removed interest in the leader of the Roman Catholic church. Yet the pope is the authoritative leader of 1.4 billion women and men around the world. It is worth our time to pause and consider what kind of man and what kind of legacy Pope Francis left behind.
You will find all kinds of eulogies and commentaries being written by those who know much more than I.* All I wanted to do was express my appreciation for a pastor who practiced what he preached. From living simply, acting humbly, and giving generously, this was a man who understood the importance of both faith and works, and was committed to keeping them in sync with each other. Whatever will be said of his positions on theology or social issues—liberal or conservative—his integrity and authenticity will be what is remembered.
I’m always looking for teachable moments for my faith and for the faith of my flock and I think the humility I’ve witnessed in Francis has been a call to me to practice what I preach—to live what I believe. A week or so ago, I saw this comic and I thought it might be a fun way to drive this point home.
By the way, it was a wonderful and triumphant day of worship here yesterday. I want to thank all the women and men who provided the planning, the coordination, the music, the audio and visual
technology, the prayers and the sharing of the word for that worship.
We are so greatly blessed here at Carmel UMC.
We are so greatly blessed as followers of the risen Christ.
He is risen indeed!
*[Quoted from Wikipedia]
“As pope, Francis's manner was less formal than that of his immediate predecessors, a style that news coverage referred to as "no frills", noting that it is "his common touch and accessibility that is proving the greatest inspiration". On the night of his election, he took a bus back to his hotel with the cardinals rather than being driven in the papal car. The next day, he visited Cardinal Jorge María Mejía in the hospital and chatted with patients and staff.…
Archived Posts
What just missed the cut for Sunday’s Sermon
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Maybe you know the story of how Joseph and Mary accidentally left Jesus at the gas station on their way home from Jerusalem. Well, not the gas station bathroom in Jesus’ case. Joe and Mary are far down the road before they realize Jesus isn’t with them...
So many quips and quotes...
So little time to preach
I wonder what Mary and Martha’s phones might look like:
* Martha = the open browser with 27 tabs
* Mary = the single window that matters
* Psalm 46 = God saying, “Close the tabs.”
Quotable Outtakes That Didn’t Make the Sermon This Week
“When you try to control everything, you don’t just exhaust yourself—you quietly replace trust in God with trust in you.” & more
There is a challenge when it comes to preaching the Word of God.
Preachers are called to open up and interpret the word—inspired and written down thousands of years ago—and make it relevant to a very different world. On top of that there’s a degree of persuasion that goes along with the process.
What Jessica Really Meant to Say in Her Sermon…
When Jessica or Rick or a guest preacher takes the pulpit it’s hard for me to write a One More Thing Blog. I can’t share with you what didn’t make it into the sermon because I have no idea, not having written or delivered it.
Jesus Keeps On Ruining Funerals!
I didn’t have anything this last week that didn’t end up in the sermon. No catchy illustrations that didn’t make the cut. No theological insights that slowed down the main point. No one can ruin a funeral like Jesus. Told as I saw it and that was it. So I did some quick research and I thought I’d share just a reminder of what Easter is all about.