My Pastoral Ponderings

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Month: August 2020

Posted on August 31, 2020May 4, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 8 Comments

Sonnet for Psalm 51

Here is a sonnet that I wrote for Psalm 51, as part of my ongoing series of "Poems, Prayers, Psalms, and Promises."

Posted on August 29, 2020June 6, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 12 Comments

The Shape of Your Cross: My Sermon on Matthew 16:21-28

What does it mean to follow Jesus today? Here is a sermon focusing on that important question.

Posted on August 28, 2020April 5, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 13 Comments

Letters and Papers from Prison – Part 2

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's profoundly-moving letters from prison offer us a message of hope as we live through this pandemic. Here is the second of a four-part series on his "Letters and Papers from Prison."

Posted on August 26, 2020August 26, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 9 Comments

Think about These Things (Not Those Things)

What we think about matters to God, and it should matter to us. Here is a brief reflection on the importance of watching our thoughts and guarding our hearts.

Posted on August 25, 2020October 6, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 16 Comments

How Writing Poetry Has Deepened My Spiritual Life

Here is a reflection on how writing poetry has nourished my faith in these challenging times, and deepened my encounters with scripture.

Posted on August 22, 2020August 22, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 6 Comments

Who Do You Say that I Am?: My Sermon on Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus asks us all a very basic question: "Who do you say that I am?" Our answer directly affects how we live out our faith and how we live our lives. Here is my sermon on this profound question.

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 9 Comments

Running Faith’s Race

As a runner, I try to remember that every step I take is a gift from God, and an opportunity to run faith's race.

Posted on August 17, 2020May 4, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 10 Comments

Sonnet for Psalm 19

Here is a sonnet that I wrote for Psalm 19, as part of my ongoing series of "Poems, Prayers, Psalms, and Promises."

Posted on August 15, 2020September 1, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 10 Comments

Woman, Great Is Your Faith!: My Sermon on Matthew 15:21-28

What can an unnamed Canaanite woman teach us about faith in Jesus? A great deal, it turns out. Here is my sermon on the woman who begged Jesus for crumbs from the master's table.

Posted on August 13, 2020August 20, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 7 Comments

Anxieties, Rip Currents, and the Peace that Surpasses All Understanding

Pondering similarities between life's anxieties and the ocean's rip currents, and how our faith can offer us peace in these anxious times.

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Top Posts & Pages

  • What Does the Lord Require of You? My Sermon on Micah 6:8
  • The Message of the Cross: My Sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
  • Rejoice in the Lord: My Sermon on Philippians 4:4-7
  • What Does It Mean to Pray “Forgive Us Our Trespasses”?
  • Even Though He Sleeps, Christ Is in the Boat: My Sermon on Mark 4:35-41
  • Ephphatha, Be Opened: My Sermon on Mark 7:24-37
  • Who Do You Say that I Am?: My Sermon on Matthew 16:13-20
  • Why He Walked on Water: My Sermon on Matthew 14:22-33
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  • Listen, and Believe: My Sermon on the Transfiguration of Our Lord

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