By Joel A. Hess - Who would have thought that such a glorious building would go down in flames? Flames, of all things. Not an atomic bomb or any of our glorious manmade tools of destruction, but something as rudimentary and old as fire. All the hard work of well-intentioned men was destroyed in a … Continue reading Destroy this Temple
By Joel A. Hess - Want to be a hard worker? There are plenty of institutions, mentors, and businesses that can enable you to be a productive member of society better than the church. Want to be a good person? There are plenty of equally effective religions and philosophies that can encourage and equip people … Continue reading You can only get this at Christ’s Church
By Joel A. Hess - You’re preaching to the choir! We say this when someone says something we’ve already heard and know, when we think it’s a waste of time. Sadly, I have thought this many times, maybe even said it. This phrase enters my dumb head when I’m writing a sermon every week or … Continue reading The choir needs preaching too
By Joel A. Hess - “Why would God allow that?” she mumbled through tears as she sat bent over with her head in her hands. It was too awful for me to offer some shallow divine plan. What answer would really matter? Even if God Himself told her every detail of why her child drowned, … Continue reading Why do good things happen to bad people?
By Joel A. Hess - I still remember visiting Mary. She was in the memory ward at Samaritas Assisted Living. I always hated going in there. I can’t imagine how her husband felt. Once the heavy doors opened, I would be met by aged men and women crying, staring, and laughing at nothing. It smelled … Continue reading When In Doubt Look At Your Name Tag
By Joel A. Hess - Because these wings are no longer wings to fly But merely vans to beat the air The air which is now thoroughly small and dry Smaller and dryer than the will Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still.- Ash Wednesday, T. S. Eliot So … Continue reading Another Half-Hearted Lent
By Joel A. Hess - I have certainly enjoyed a good laugh or two watching so many preachers of political correctness go down because of their own past crass cultural appropriations. That’s not to say it’s a small thing. It is certainly wrong to make light of the hardships of minorities. I am sure I … Continue reading Culturally appropriating Jesus
