Proper 9, Year B. Sermon from 2 Cor. 12:2-10 Synopsis: Paul encountered some other “apostles” who tried to undermine his ministry citing grand spiritual visions. This reading is his response to them. In the 1750s there was a worldwide conflict known to us as The French Indian war. The British and French battled for Quebec. Admiral Phipps, commander of the British fleet, received orders to anchor outside Quebec and wait for the British land forces. His job was simple; provide protection while the troops came ashore. Admiral Phipps ran a well-oiled machine, his sailors…
Sermon for Proper 17 year A by Fr. Rian Adams Text: Matthew 16:21-28 Since February of this year, the People’s Republic of China has removed and destroyed over 900 crosses from Christian churches. If that wasn’t enough, to display a cross on a place of worship is a crime against the government. If congregants disobey, the government can try them as insurrections. The cross is offensive. I read an article in an academic journal a few months ago at Sewanee that informs this sermon. The author called for the historic Christian churches in…
I’m excited to announce the new website for my poetry launched recently. I’ve thought about dedicating an entire site to poetry for a while. Recently, I decided to build a simple site. So, go check it out, www.rianadamspoetry.com…
The Blessing of Hardships. Sermon 10th Sunday After Pentecost Intro: Since this Gospel reading is intense, I thought I’d begin by admitting something kind of funny about it. When I read it this week, I pictured Jesus at a Charlie Daniels concert singing, “Fire on the mountain run boys run.” It also made me wonder, “… how am I supposed to preach this?” It speaks of fire consuming the earth, and about teenagers hating their parents. Well, maybe that one’s not a stretch. But I’d rather preach about the prince of peace than a man who…
After diligent work, generous assistance from friends and family, and some help from God, the dream of Love, War, and Soul: Poems of Passion, Darkness, and Light is now a reality. I’m very happy to announce that after a year and a half of intentional work, Love, War, and Soul is now available for purchase on Amazon. This volume contains poems written over the past decade, most notably the past two years, that speak to the universal experience of love, disappointment, failure, and spiritual growth. This project was especially meaningful to me because it served as the…
The poem “Contentment” hints at the spiritual depth required to hold our faith without needing all the answers. I’ve known so many people over the years who needed to have their faith “figured out.” Or, I’ve known people who have had their faith fall apart when something or someone challenged their ideas and beliefs. Tragically this happens far too often…