Rev. Zach

First Presbyterian of Lafayette, LA August 29, 2010 – Ordinary 22C Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 81:6-10 (sung with cantor) Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1-14 For those gathered who are not young children, go back in time with me for a moment. I would like for us all to think about what life was, or is, like for us as children. Particularly, I want you to consider the playground. It may be hard to remember, but think about those kids who just didn’t get it, the ones that didn’t fit in. Maybe you were that kid sometimes. I know I was. Think about the things that separated that kid from the others. Was it something they did or did not do? Was it their clothes or their heritage? The playground can be a brutal place sometimes, so let’s come back to the present moment. Let us find comfort in the worship of God, and the fellowship of God’s people. Let us find healing for our wounds in the words of scripture. Perhaps Jeremiah can come out and play! That’s how it was when most of ...

If you are looking for the sermon from 8/22/10, just scroll down to the next post, titled "You Are Set Free" or click here . If you want to learn a little about my thought process in writing it, just keep reading.... In case you have ever wondered how a minister organizes their thoughts, I thought I would share a bit of my madness/method. Generally I spend time in prayer, meditation, and study before I begin. Then I use a process called mind mapping to look for connections between the texts. From that I discern the essential truth of the texts. I will often use that as a direction to move toward, rather than a thesis to unpack or defend. So, my though process tends to be more inductive than deductive. Anyway, here's the mind map for my next sermon, "You Are Set Free."

First Presbyterian Lafayette, Louisiana August 22, 2010 - Ordinary 21C Isaiah 58:9b-14 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17 Today’s scripture passages speak of justice and of healing. The combination of these two topics has become, for many in this country, much like the command in the movie Ghost Busters not to cross the streams. These were, of course, two fields of molecular energy that, if they came in contact with one another could rip apart the fabric of the universe much like some feel the health care debate is ripping us apart. I do not believe the pulpit is the place to engage in this debate that so many of us are struggling with, but I do think we would be well advised to consider God’s word in the midst of it. With that in mind, let us turn our thoughts to the connection between God’s word and our own needs. All of us, in some way at some point, long for healing. Maybe it is for ourselves. Maybe it is for a loved one. Maybe it is something physical, and there is de...

First Presbyterian, Lafayette Louisiana Year C, Ordinary 21 8/15/10 First Reading - Isaiah 5:1-7 Second Reading - Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Gospel lesson - Luke 12:49-56 I have a little bit of a problem. Well, not a problem so much as an opportunity. That’s what we used to say at Houston’s , one of the restaurants I worked in before seminary. At least that’s what the management called problems. They called them opportunities for success. Another restaurant that I worked in, Cow Tippers , was part of a smaller restaurant group. One of the owners occasionally worked management shifts to stay in touch with the business. He would often respond to his employee’s concerns by saying, “Is this a situation?” Meaning, is this something that happens often? This question would always be followed with, “Do we need a policy?” Meaning, do you need something to help you respond to this situation? It was all very helpful and positive, but we, of course, made fun of them in both cases. Anyway, my probl...

First Presbyterian Church Lafayette, LA Year C, Ordinary 19 August 8, 2010 Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 Psalm 50:1-6 (sung responsively) Hebrews 11:1-3 Luke 12:32-40 What child does not dream of being a super hero? OK, maybe that’s a boy thing. About all that girls have had to choose from for some time now is Wonder Woman or Cat Woman. Of course now a days there is a pantheon of super heroes, both male and female, and some in between. Hollywood can’t seem to get enough of them, and there are entire movie franchises are dedicated to certain characters. I’ll tell you my favorite, though…Spiderman. I love the transformation that takes place because of something that selected him apart from his will. A radioactive spider, that’s how he receives his power, bites Peter Parker. I love the idea of responsibility that comes with power. I love the way Peter Parker struggles with keeping an identity of his own while being a part of something bigger than himself. There’s a great scene in the beginnin...

First Presbyterian Lafayette, Louisiana Year C, Ordinary 18 8/01/10 What comes to mind when I say the word “ possessed ”? For many of us who grew up after the advent of such horror films like “ The Amityville Horror ” or “ The Exorcist ,” the word possession can bring up some uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. Perhaps if I ask the question a little differently it might change some of your reactions. What if the word is instead “ possession ”? Now what comes to mind? We live in a world defined by things, for the most part, or by the activities that result in things. Our identities are often more attached to achievements than relationships. Sure, we begin conversations with “What kind of work do you do?” But chances are that those conversations aren’t going to go very far unless the “doing” that is described has some kind of value to us. This is nothing new, literature and social commentary about this goes back to the origin of society and recorded history. John Calvin ...