Rev. Zach

Ezekiel 37:1-14      Acts 2:1-21     John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 By now most of you know that I am of the genus and species known as the “Extravertus Maximus.” As was once noted by a member of my kind – who happen to be my General Presbyter when I began seminary – we think by speaking. For us, a conversation is much like working out a math problem on a black board with a group of people helping.  It is for this reason that there are few words that terrify me more than hearing someone say, “It’s like that time when you said…” because the good Lord may be the only one who knows what I truly said. Likewise, one of the most affirming experiences I’ve had in ministry was from a friend in Virginia who would occasionally respond to something I said in a discussion with, “Tell the truth!” Given that sometimes it is only God that knows  our hearts, and sometimes we only know that we have spoken truth when someone tells us that we did, I think we can all take...

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26     1 John 5:9-13     John 17:6-19 Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.     Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.    Wouldn't you like to get away?   Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name,  and they're always glad you came.    You wanna be where you can see,  our troubles are all the same.   You wanna be where everybody knows  Your name.  That song feels great to sing, and for many of us it describes exactly why we come to church.  While these words may tell the truth about the longing of our souls, they don’t particularly describe the church.  Or at least they don't completely describe the church.  Most of you will recognize this as the theme from the beloved sitcom about a bar named “ Cheers ,” and it could certainly be argued that this show was about more than a bar....

Psalm 22:25-31     1 John 4:7-21     John 15:1-8 I have been accused, and probably sometimes quite accurately, of being a perfectionist.  Of course, we are actually a culture of perfectionists who are always trying to reach greater heights.  We go so far as to separate people into archetypes and stereotypes based on – among other things – those that are the high energy take charge, Type A, people and those who are the “slow and steady wins the race”, or type B, people.  The funny thing is that these distinctions are actually related to stress producing risk factors for heart disease.  And while science tells us that B is the better choice, our culture tells us that unless you are the lead dog in the pack the view will never change. Scripture tells us something else, and thanks be to God!  It is God who is making all things perfect.  In fact, God’s love is being perfected through you.  That’s a fairly intimidating idea, bu...

Acts 4:5-12     Psalm 23     1 John 3:16-24     John 10:11-18 [There is a Jenga game next to the pulpit as a visual aid.] While I would love to say that today’s scripture passages fill me with comfort and peace, I have to admit that they do not.  Well, at least not the type of comfort and peace that I might have if I listened selectively to the good parts.  The Lord is my shepherd, [move Jenga piece] and Jesus is the good shepherd who lays down his life [move Jenga piece].  This Jesus is the cornerstone that pulls everything in line [move Jenga piece]. These simple truths are what I want to remember about these passages, but there’s a lot more to them than those simple words of comfort.  When I read the rest of the story I suddenly find myself feeling like Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther.  You may remember how he hired a butler named Cato and instructed him to lie in wait and attack him every time he came home just to kee...

Acts 3:12-19     Psalm 4:1-8     1 John 3:1-7     Luke 24:36b-48 I really like the word, “ beloved.”   I think there is certain purity to the word.  Not only that, but there is no denying the intent.  If you are beloved, then you are the object of the affection of another. Being beloved is not about your choice; it is about being chosen.  And that’s what we are.  We are God’s beloved at First Presbyterian Church.  Whether you have been here 20 years or just walked in the door, I am here to tell you that you are God’s beloved – right here and right now. Doesn’t that feel good?  Beloved is such a great word.  Being Southern, I can even say it with a wide variety of inflections, and it doesn’t change what it means.  If anything, it reminds me how important the person I’m describing is to God – no matter what I am feeling at the time.  But what does that mean, exactly?  Yes, we are chosen by God – ...

So, I gotta say, I am suitably impressed with the Marvel's recent incarnation of Daredevil on Netflix . As a child, I collected only two comics – the Uncanny X-Men, and Daredevil. While I was excited about the film version, I just couldn't see Matt Damon as the lead. Don't get me wrong, he's an accomplished performer. He's just too pretty for it, and his eyes are all wrong. Sure, Daredevil is blind, Ben Affleck has puppy eyes. Daredevil is gritty. His eyes, when revealed, are like steel. They are not mournful. They are set and resolved. So, I just couldn't bring myself to watch Matt Damon as Daredevil. Charlie Cox , in my opinion, nails this role. He is resolved and purposeful, penitent and yet unyielding (Forgive me Father for what I am going to do...). He is the product of childhood fears and his own intentional actions that incorporate the darkness that resides within into the light of righteous indifference. He lets the devil out in order to conquer the ...

Acts 4:32-35     Psalm 133:1-3     1 John 1:1-2:2     John 20:19-31 Today we have some of the most romantic passages in the lectionary.  I don’t mean that they are all lovey dovey.  I mean they are the stuff of dreams.  They are the kind of passages that draw many of us to think of ideal images of the church in harmony and Jesus returning to calm fears, answer doubts, and give power to those who follow him.  These are certainly good images to hold onto, but there may be more to it than that. For me, theses readings conjure up memories of singing around a campfire.  It usually began with a two-part harmony chorus.  The boys would often start – some faking a low voice until they could make one, or at least hide their awkward squeaks in the group. Walkin’, walkin’, walkin’ in the light  Walkin’, walkin’, walkin’ in the light  Then the girls would come in a little too high before settling into somethin...