Mar 17, 2017 | Uncategorized
In a city called “falsehood,” Jesus speaks truth. At a deep well, water and truth are both drawn up. Truth and well water both have to be coaxed above ground. Because, truth can live under the ground of fearful convenience and polite euphemisms forever. At...
Mar 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
You can talk about God, Jesus says, without actually seeing God’s movement. That’s sad. The word “movement” is the best translation of the word “kingdom” in scripture. Movement, like the way Jesus described Spirit. A wind blowing. A wind...
Mar 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
It’s so appealing, temptation. It searches us. It appeals to our secret wants. Our fears. We succumb. Slightly, then chronically. Knowingly or naively. We fall. Sometimes falling gives birth to wisdom, humility and new devotion. Sometimes it just makes more falling....
Mar 1, 2017 | Uncategorized
Dust comes from lack of use or dust can come from construction. You will have to decide this ASH Wednesday what the dust on your forehead means. The dust that accumulates from lack of use is a symbol of a sentimental or vintage faith. It’s a memorial to...
Feb 24, 2017 | Uncategorized
Church is necessary! It’s a place we can “…name our masters and confess our servitude.” A place to tell the truth, that we are idol worshippers – the whole lot of us. A place to cough up our asphyxiating indifference toward the suffering of...
Feb 17, 2017 | Uncategorized
“An eye for an eye” is what Jesus grew up hearing. Somewhere along his life, it changed. Somehow he began rejecting “eye for eye” logic for this: “Turn your cheek. Go the extra mile. Love enemy.” Could be, Jesus’ shift came...
Feb 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
Covenant with God is receiving the benefit of God’s promises. It’s also keeping our promises to God. Our promises to God become flesh when they drive our real-world choices. But faithfulness has a high price, so we attempt a bait and switch. We substitute faithfulness...
Feb 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
If you and I are immersed in a love that has no borders, limitations or litmus tests, then we have all we need to go to places that appear loveless. We walk in love so, we can walk into rooms rife with political rancor. We are ambassadors for Christ. And while we may...
Jan 27, 2017 | Uncategorized
“Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God.” This is the good God has shown us. Looking for a concise personal creed? Here it is. Three action points approved by God. Small enough for a tattoo, big enough to guide your life, family, business, our nation and the...
Oct 21, 2016 | Uncategorized
His prayer had two parts: Tell God how good you are. Look down on others. For all his right deeds, he got it wrong. He didn’t need God’s mercy to lift him. He lifted himself. Our good ought to lift people’s eyes to God. The good we are able to do is evidence of...