Essays and reflections on spiritual formation, the church, music, and daily faithfulness — 638 pieces, gathered in one home.
There has always been a prophetic edge to preaching if done with integrity. Otherwise, why would Jesus have said “blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and sprea
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Though my Alma mater closed this past May, we are keeping the annual Carol service tradition alive. It was my joy and privilege to sing in it in December of 2024. I invite you to h
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Really? I guess this constitutes the first set of “GMC incited” deaths. Three United Methodists were killed in Nigeria as a result of GMC violence. “We further urge GMC members, at
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Looking for a thoughtful Christmas gift for a faithful United Methodist? To mark its second anniversary, I offer my book for a discount (only $18 including free shipping in the US)
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This potent quote is from “The Crucible of Racism: Ignatian Spirituality and the Power of Hope” by Patrick Saint-Jean, SA. “The white church has often cherry-picked its way through
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I was privileged to do the “Read Together” podcast this week. The introduction reads “Rev. Steve West identifies three core values of the early church that the world found offensiv
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Some of us grieving today and others are quietly celebrating. We’ve had a presidential election. We are a diverse nation and even a diverse Church, and there must be a variety of f
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Welcome to the world, Charlie! You are the most beautiful granddaughter a Pops could dream of!
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
. Anticipation. Anticipation. It's making me wait. As you probably know (since I've mentioned it, oh ... dozens of times), Sandy and I are eagerly awaiting a new granddaughter. As
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
As I pray and continue to find healing and perspective after last year's season of church disaffiliations from the main body of the UMC, on a recent retreat I wrote down these twel
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I saw a post in a clergy forum on social media, from a pastor of a church that disaffiliated but he remained with the UMC. He simply want to say thank you to others who did so as w
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I recently listened with an open heart to the sermon of a pastor who is one of the separatists who recently left the UMC. He articulated (very well) how their movement falls solidl
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Celebrate with us on the return of a wonderful Uganda mission trip. 18 of us (9 from our church, 5 relatives, and 4 joining us through Africa Children’s Mission, or ACM) enjoyed an
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
To celebrate a historic General Conference and uplifting Annual Conference, I’ve made my book available for a discount. Amazon and Wipf & Stock have it for $21. I’ll send you a cop
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I believe this wholeheartedly. The Bible calls Jesus Christ the Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” There is a custom of
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
To have a listen, click ONE THREE NINE. I was excited that Psalm 139 came up in the lectionary. During the early days of the pandemic, I fell in love with the jazz of Aubrey Logan.
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Here’s a statement from the Nigerian United Methodist Church on why they are STAYING UMC! “Our church has obeyed the prayer of Jesus in John 17:6-19 to be one. We have chosen love
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
One of the endorsers of my new book, Steve Harper, wrote this heartfelt "goodbye" to the GMC a couple of years ago. Somehow I missed this until now. I thought it might be beneficia
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I have an Episcopalian friend who remarked that it bothered him that people call the Aldersgate experience Wesley’s “conversion”. He’s absolutely right. This is what I wrote in the
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I have decided to call it the “tax collector complex.” In Jesus’s time, the tax collector was like the “king of sinners,” the worst of the worst of the worst. Jews found them repul
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
My friend Dean McIntyre shared a quote from John Wesley that is very applicable for today: "I dislike your speaking of yourselves as though you were the only [ones] who know and ta
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
The lectionary gospel for this past Sunday was from John 17. In my sermon, I said something I've often said in the past couple of years. “Jesus never even mentions some of things p
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I sat in as an alternate delegate and voted all morning on the last day on General Conference! It was a joy to participate more actively. That afternoon, I was driving home from Ge
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is a powerful quote I shared in my sermon on Sunday. This is a report given by a pagan official, Aristides, to Emperor Hadrian who was seeking justification to outlaw Christia
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
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