Today is truly a day of joyous celebration and thanksgiving. It’s a day that I am honestly surprised has come as quickly as it has. Just over 11 years ago, Massachusetts first allowed same-sex couples to be legally married. This was less than a year after Lawrence v. Texas struck down bans nationwide on sexual …
Tag: Reflections
Within Our Darkest Night
+ A reflection around the Winter Solstice written on December 22, 2014 + “Within our darkest night, you kindle a fire that never dies away” (Taizé song) There have been many times in my life where someone has told me that the celebration of Christmas was silly or even non-Christian as it was simply an appropriation of the …
Advent Reflection: St. John of Damascus
+ An Advent devotional written for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL for December 4, 2014 + Today the Church commemorates St. John of Damascus, Syrian monk and priest, defender of icons, and Father of the Church. “Previously there was absolutely no way in which God, who has neither a body nor a face, could be …
Stay Awake Amidst the Darkness
+ A short sermon preached for Holden Evening Prayer at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL on December 3, 2014 + Text: Matthew 26:36-44 Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. When my family moved to Alaska, I remember being enamored by the Land of the Midnight …
Trans* Day of Remembrance
Today the world remembers all of God's children who were killed in the past year because of their gender identity or expression. During the past day, I had the opportunity to participate in two worship services to remember those who are lost and forgotten by most. One included the reading of the names of the 268 …
Take Me As I Am, For I Was Born This Way
+ A Lenten reflection preached at University Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA on March 13, 2013 + Text: Take, O Take Me As I Am, Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24 How many of us have faced hardship for being who we are? Have you been ridiculed or laughed at? Who among us has lamented that they were a certain, different way? …
Pastor Paul Eldred 