Oaks of Mamre

  10th Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 18.23-35 Forgiveness is a hot topic right now in the news as there is consideration being given to canceling student loan debt. Making a political statement one way of the other on this issue is well beyond the scope of this essay. However, one of the most common objections I see to loan forgiveness has to do with fairness. People are complaining that it isn’t fair that they had to pay all their debts off so why shouldn’t this generation have to do the same? There is a real fear that this act of forgiveness might lead to an entitlement attitude where a whole generation will get off the hook for paying back what they owe.  This week’s gospel reading is about similar themes. Forgiveness. Fairness. But even more importantly about how God forgives and how that should shape how we forgive.  This may be among the most pointed, clearest teachings on forgiveness in all of Scripture. It spells out exactly what Jesus taught us in the prayer he gave us where

  Icon available from Uncut Mountain Supply 9th Sunday after Pentecost:  Matthew 14. 22-34 - Jesus walks on the water Let’s start with a confession. I relate to Peter in this story. Of course, I’m not putting myself on a pedestal equal to an apostle! I only relate to his “fire, aim, ready” approach to almost everything.   A few years ago I was part of a business workshop that helped business owners figure out their “working style.” I won’t bore you with all the details of that but the style that suited me was called “Quick Start.” Yes, my “style” was leap then look. They said I was the sort of person that was comfortable to start a project then plan it out as I go. In other words, I was comfortable to wing it and make it up as I went along. I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a warning. Likely both. What the intent, it wasn’t exactly a badge of honor! Especially in a business setting where most people love spreadsheets and long planning sessions before launching new projects. H

Reflection on Matthew 14.14-22 - Jesus feeds the Five Thousand   Last Sunday I was helping Erin and Robert Lockridge move a couple of children’s kayaks for a summer camp they are leading. As I was getting the kayaks out of the back of my car, Amarie came over and wanted “to help.” Of course immediately her little brother, Kallum, also wanted in on the action. So now there are 3 of us carrying 2 small kayaks that one adult could easily carry. Amarie had her hand on the front of the kayak, and Kalem was touching the back. In this way, they were “helping.” But what’s actually going on there? How much weight were Amarie and Kalem actually lifting? Answer: not much, if any! Yet, there was something sweet about the scene to me. They were doing what they could. They were contributing. They were a part of something that “big people” do. And honestly, the contribution felt significant. But not for the reasons they likely thought it was. It was significant because adults an

  A reflection on Matthew 9.1-8, Christ heals a paralytic   Not long ago our daughter was learning to drive. She could not wait to get her license! She dreamed of the day when she would be able to just hop in a car and go wherever she needed to go, on her terms, in her timing with utter freedom. But there were a couple hurdles in front of her. One, in Kentucky, you have to have 60 hours of driving practice with an adult after you get your temps. Also, her mother and I - tyrants that we are! - required that all of our children go to driving school. This required a $500 investment that she would have to make from her own funds not to mention the extra time and effort required. At one point when we were practicing, she said to me, exasperated, “It just feels like I’m never going to be able to drive!” I tried to explain to her that she was actually really close. She had her temps. She had already completed 50 hours of her required 60. And her driving school had starte

  I vividly remember when I first started attending Divine Liturgy.  One of the most powerful moments in the Liturgy for me each week was when we would sing, “Now, lay aside all earthly cares.” Slowly. Methodically, Repeatedly... One particular Sunday, I was going through a very difficult season at my work. I came to Liturgy with loads of cares, dragging me down. It felt like water rising up to my chin that I couldn't stop. I felt completely immobilized by my cares. And as someone who struggles with claustrophobia, feeling immobile and under threat is the most terrifying metaphor I can imagine! Then came, “Now, lay aside all earthly cares.” I had the thought: This is a real invitation! I am being invited to literally lay aside all earthly cares, even the ones I had no idea how to resolve… No! Especially the ones which seemed insurmountable and unanswerable. So, I did. And in that moment I encountered the Living God who invites us to “cast our cares on Him for he c

Order the icon from the Ancient Faith Store... I love to fish! It was something I did as a kid with my dad. But then college, marriage, career, and kids all started happening in rapid succession. Soon decades had passed and I had not packed up a pole.  In all honesty, I didn’t really love fishing even as a kid. I loved being with my dad mostly. But then a few years ago, we moved to a new home next to a lake. When my dad heard I was moving near a lake he gave me a pole he had for years. It had a small lure on the end. So, I figured, why not? I threw a line in the lake behind our home just a few days after arriving. On my second cast, bam! A largemouth bass was dancing on the end of my line. Second cast! I was hooked. <wink> It was exhilarating. I had an epiphany. Fishing is ok, but catching is everything. Now I love fishing because I’ve learned to couple it with catching. The gospel reading from this week is all about fishing. Jesus, walking by the Sea of Gali

Good morning friends! Kevin here again from Oaks of Mamre ministry with a few thoughts on this past week's gospel reading. "Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 10.32 As I heard this week's gospel reading I was reminded of all the times in my past when I've encountered people who seemed too pushy with their invitations to come to Christ. You know the people who stand on corners and shout at everyone to “REPENT!” They are the ones with the megaphones and the leaflets that tell you how to get to heaven in 3 easy steps. Well, a couple of data points that may be of interest. One, I was that person for a season in my life in my early 20s. I have preached on the streets and handed out literature in several different countries during that short season. That's a story for another time (or never!). While I no longer practice that form of sharing my faith, I will say that it taught me to be b