When I was in seminary I played on a church softball team. In one game I was playing second base and the other team had a runner on first. The batter hit the ball to shallow center field. I went to second to take the throw for an easy force out. Now this was a […]
Reading the Bible for all it’s worth
At the close of his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus said: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that […]
A poem for Christmas
The Journey Of The Magi by T.S. Eliot ‘A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey: The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter.’ And the camels galled, sorefooted, refractory, Lying down in the melting snow. There […]
From the manger to the cross
A shepherd tells his story What a night! What a night that was! I saw things that night that I never imagined I’d ever see! I’m a shepherd. Always have been. Always will be. Shepherding is in my blood. I’ve seen a lot of things out there in the wilderness, in the pastures. Mostly good […]
The story
Christmas is, no doubt, the biggest holiday of the year in America. It’s a gigantic event. And I love the Christmas season – the lights and decorations and music and gift-giving. It’s a special event. But some of it bothers me. Everybody celebrates but many don’t seem to know what’s being celebrated. Some school […]
Give thanks to the Lord
Worship based on Psalm 107 During this time of thanksgiving, I’d like to offer this worship activity for you to focus on God’s redemptive story in your life. Psalm 107:1-3 reads: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom […]
How I stopped being a racist
Racism and the division it produces has become a serious issue in the U.S. during the recent few of years. Well, it has always been a serious issue, that’s for certain. But it has again come to the forefront of our society. I don’t need to rattle off all the examples; you know what’s happening. […]
Stormtime
It’s Springtime. Balmy temperatures, pleasant breezes, gentle showers, budding flowers. Nice. But wait – that’s not the whole picture, is it? Just ask the folks in Texas about gentle showers. Or ask people in the plains about pleasant breezes. And today (June 1) is the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season. Springtime can be brutal. One day, […]
Start over
Let’s study one of the most well-known sections in the Bible. Please read it in your own Bible or click on this text and open the link – John 3:1-21. As I said, this is one of the most well-known sections of the Bible, parts of it anyway. Everyone knows John 3:16. Everyone has heard […]
Now that he’s alive
Look with me at the last chapter of the gospel of John. It’s not merely an interesting add-on. This chapter is an important bridge from the facts of Jesus’ life, teaching, death & resurrection to our lives. John 21:1-19 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and […]