Blog Archives

Despicable

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Tim Graves — 1 Comment

Despicable. Despicable is an understatement. How could a father? How could a God of Love!!? How could God? How could Abraham? Did God? Would God? Not the God I know. Definitely not the God of love, justice, & kindness. Love…

In a World of Tough Choices

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Tim Graves — 1 Comment

We get confused sometimes by the options. The choices before us can seem equally wrong. You ask us to do something outlandish, which is your way, but this time… This time it’s out of character. You ask us to act,…

Call to Worship: When God Imagined Me

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Tim Graves — 1 Comment

In the midst of darkness & chaos… God imagined. In the fury & darkness… God imagined a world filled with trees, and blue skies and fluffy white clouds. In the meadow, God stood and… imagined foxes, bluebirds, and slithering snakes.…

Posted in Call to Worship, Genesis, Genesis 1, Genesis 1-2, Genesis 1-2:1, Old Testament, Uncategorized

Awakening Breath

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Listen to sermon delivered at Condon United Church of Christ here. Outline of Sermon Sept. 11, 2016 Condon United Church of Christ Rev. Tim Graves Eve and Adam had a choice. We have a choice. Our choices have consequences, sometimes…

Tagged with: Adam and Eve, myths, narrative lectionary, promises
Posted in Genesis, Genesis 2, Genesis 2:4-3:8, Old Testament, Sermon, Uncategorized

Unbelievable Promises

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Praise the god of promises. God always keeps God’s promises! The noise of a world intent on collecting things distracts us from the miracle of what you promise. God always keeps God’s promises! We are tempted by the lure of…

Tagged with: Abraham, Abram, narrative lectionary, promises, Sarah, Sarai
Posted in Call to Worship, Genesis, Genesis 15, Genesis 15:1-6, Uncategorized

So the story goes

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Tim Graves — 1 Comment

In the beginning, so the story goes, God began creating. In a garden, the divine one breathed life into the adamah, the very earth. And we became. Praise to the creator! We gather to remember whose breath gives us…

A Community Candlelight Gathering for One Who Died Too Soon

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Below are my remarks and prayer from this evening as our small, eastern Oregon community gathered to grieve, lament, and be with one another following the tragic death of a beloved 17-year-old last evening. Opening Remarks Let me tell you…

Tagged with: community candlelight gathering
Posted in After a Tragedy, Genesis, Genesis 1, Genesis 1-2, Genesis 1-2:1, Old Testament, Special Times

Waves of Love & Commitment

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Invitation God’s breath sustains the ever-creating universe. Divine love rode the waves with the baby Moses and is with you in every joy, heartbreak, and challenge. Let God’s love move you to commit to use your talents and financial resources…

The River of Life

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

Prayer of Invocation Your divine breath swept across the waters, giving life to fish & child. You rode the waves with Moses, moving a sister to speak up, reuniting mother and infant. You revealed your pleasure in Jesus, as the…

Reclaiming Sodom & Gomorrah

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Tim Graves — Leave a comment

For those who are insistent about excluding our LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, & queer) siblings from within God’s love and family, I can see why they use Genesis 19:1-38. This chapter can superficially be interpreted as a morality tale…