Today is a special, sacred day. During Holy Week this day is traditionally called “Good Friday”. It’s a day when people of Christian faith recall, and for some relive, the torment and crucifixion of Jesus before the authorities of his day. It’s a day when Christians find reason to celebrate in a story rife with … Continue reading »
The Harlem Shake has exploded. It’s everywhere. For the uninitiated, the Harlem Shake is a viral video meme that goes like this: one person, usually masked, doing some kind of dance with a crowd of others looking on or otherwise going about their business; then the beat drops and everyone is going crazy, doing their … Continue reading »
After a long time away from the blogosphere, I’m back. The busyness and transition of life has kept me too-excuse saturated. Sure, Rebecca and I have moved to Louisville, KY, I’m now the youth minister at Middletown Christian Church, and Rebecca is a lead doctor for Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates (Dr. Bizer’s Vision World) [there’s … Continue reading »
Mark 10:32-45 So by now you may have noticed a pattern. I’ll gladly own it. Each Sunday that I preach I usually include some kind of prayer after the reading of the scripture. I do this for many reasons. First, I hope to let the words of scripture settle in upon us. Scripture is filled with evocative images, strange sayings, familiar stories, puzzling characters… Continue reading »
Song of Solomon 8:1-4; 6-7 Prayer: God of Love, Lead us deeper into your heart this morning. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see the very rhythm of your divine life. And now may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you, O God, our Rock … Continue reading »
I finally participated in (and led) an Ash Wednesday service. It was my first. And it was beautiful. The sanctuary was dark, lit by the soft glow of candles. Our lenten theme “The Simplicity of Silence” framed our time together–lots of stillness and quiet reflection. The congregation was invited to embark physically on a theological … Continue reading »
A friend and fellow Disciple, Jay Deskins, has some thoughts on hugging–check out his blog. I was inspired to respond
I wonder if I should feel like that trendy, thick-rimmed bespectacled, latte sipping, skinny jean sporting hipster pastor? It seems I’ve gladly jumped in line with the seductive forces of relevance that are all-too-present, and all-too-lamentable in youth ministry. But I must admit I don’t have skinny jeans, I received lasik surgery over a year ago, and I … Continue reading »
Censoring the Top 40 | The Christian Century. Loved this reflection on (presumed) social sensitivity to language and censorship. I wonder what this might mean for Christian worship (linguistic decorum vs. honest probing of “dark areas” of life with all the expressive tools necessary to go there)?
So I’m not sure what to make of this… At first it appeared to me that a young Oklahoma man sentenced for DUI manslaughter had received the penalty of mandatory worship (yikes! Hope the judge doesn’t pick your church as the site of tortuous praise). Then it appeared that the unusual sentence seemed to suggest … Continue reading »
I’ve committed the mistake of misunderstanding the Catholic practice of confirmation, assuming that it was analogous to the Protestant credo-baptism (ie, “believer’s baptism”). I thought that catechumens were affirming an *understanding* of the faith that they were too young to affirm when baptized (as an infant). Turns out, perhaps you’ll be surprised to discover this, too, that is not what confirmation was historically about. Read on to see what the historical practice of confirmation meant to capture, and why that matters practically today. Continue reading »
Reblogged from Irreverin: It’s here! It’s here! The October Pottery Barn catalog…be still my heart. I mean, it might be 105 in the shade outside. But inside, with me and my coffee and my favorite leather club chair (which did NOT come from Pottery Barn) it is nothing but fall bliss. Pumpkins, colored leaves, fragrant … Continue reading »
This sermon was preached by Landry Luxon on Sunday, October 28th, 2012 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Richmond, KY. Audio can be found here. Good Morning, I was surprised when I found out that I would be delivering part of the sermon today but since we have no Seniors in the youth … Continue reading »
