Sometimes a preacher just does not quite know what to say from the pulpit. This is one of those times.
I would love to spend my time today sharing stories about the good times my wife and I had visiting friends in Maine over the last couple of weeks. Or I could tell you about my attempt to eat as many oysters, mussels, lobsters, and fresh-caught Gulf of Maine fish as I could. Yum!
Unfortunately, there has been a very large cloud hanging over our good times that makes it difficult to celebrate. During the past couple of months, the people of the United States have suffered through an onslaught of violence that is impossible to ignore. And that explains why I stole a line from Jeremiah for the title of this sermon. He grieved the sinfulness of ancient Judah and the coming destruction by invading Babylonian armies. I have been almost immobilized by sadness and grief over recent violent developments in no particular order … Read more…