Ken Kesselus
The Rev. Ken Kesselus, author of John E. Hines: Granite on Fire (Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, 1995), is retired from full-time, active ministry and lives with his wife, Toni, in his native home, Bastrop, Texas.
Sermons and Bible Studies
In a Classic…, Proper 11 (A) – 2011
In a classic strip of the famed “Peanuts” newspaper cartoon, Lucy explains to her little brother Linus about the existence of good and evil. She tells him that he, like others, have inside these two forces. Linus looks at his stomach with a distressed look on his face and declares, “I can feel them in […]
We Don’t Have to Be Taught…, Easter 2 (A) – 2011
Today’s gospel reading teaches us about fear and doubt on one hand and faith and risk on the other. We don’t have to be taught about fear and doubt – not if we have lived a few years and kept our eyes open. Living is bound to cause us to have fear and doubt. Nearly […]
Sodium Chloride, Epiphany 5 (A) – 2011
Sodium chloride â salt â has gotten a particularly bad reputation in recent decades. Even though humans require a certain amount of salt for survival, most of us take in too much, and ingesting excessive amounts has been linked to major health problems. Individuals who eat too much salt are at a risk of developing […]
In the Early Years…, Proper 25 (C) – 2010
In the early years of our country, one Southern family stood out in offering leadership to a fledgling nation. Most renowned among the first families of Virginia, the Lees were wealthy, capable, intelligent, and dedicated patriots. Using the legend of this family and what some consider a bit of overexposure, lyricist Sherman Edwards crafted a […]
Today We Have Before Us…, Proper 10 (C) – 2010
Today we have before us what is perhaps the most familiar story Jesus ever told: the parable of the Good Samaritan. Hearing it again might cause us to wonder, Is there anything new in this story that we havenât already thought about or heard preached about? Hasnât it been worn smooth? Hasnât the parable lost […]
It’s an Old, Familiar Image…, Easter 4 (C) – 2010
Itâs an old, familiar image, but a powerful one, that for nearly a century has illustrated what was once a new, amazing reality. The Radio Corporation of America, or âRCA,â created a lasting logo: the figure of a dog sitting before a Victrola record player, staring in wonder at the speaker. The caption told it […]
Seeking Unbreakable Connections, Epiphany 2 (C) – 2010
In seeking to discover the value of todayâs gospel, anyone fortunate enough to have attended a wedding in a small, rural community has a leg up on those who have not. At such rituals, sometimes paralleled in ethnic urban environments, one finds that the power of the liturgical meaning of the actual wedding is underscored […]
Sometimes You Have to Wonder…, Proper 15 (B) – 2009
Sometimes you have to wonder about after-church snacks, especially celebrations. Eating congratulatory cake doesn’t make for a good pre-lunch appetizer, does it? Some parents oppose having cookies available for their little ones and insist on fruit or other more nutritious snacks. What’s the hospitality committee to do? Such minor controversy plays on the wider discussion […]
We Hear the Intriguing Story…, Proper 21 (B) – 2009
In today’s gospel, we hear the intriguing story of Jesus’ disciples trying to stop a man who had been casting out demons in Jesus’ name. They seem to have become especially upset because the offender was not one of them. In the eyes of the disciples, he was not part of the inner circle, and […]
One Driver Sticks…, Lent 3 (B) – 2009
One driver sticks post-it notes all over the dashboard of her car to make sure she remembers each errand. Kitchen calendars fill up with family appointments. Many cell phones now include calendars so their owners can have instant access to appointments that are too numerous to remember. Chronic stress accompanies an increasing number of Americans […]
Another Halloween…, All Saints’ Day (A) – 2008
Another Halloween has come and gone, and how well did we do in making it All Saintsâ Eve? What did we notice as the little ones with smiley faces gave cheery âTrick or Treatâ greetings? Beyond the joy of giving out candy, how many of us kept track of the costumes the children wore? It […]
Last Sunday’s Gospel…, Proper 17 (A) – 2008
Last Sundayâs gospel was really fun â Peterâs answering for the disciples that Jesus is much more than people were saying he was â that he was the Messiah. Fun because Jesus affirmed them and even told Peter he was a rock on which he would build the church. Fun for us, because we can […]
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