The season of Lent is meant to be a time of self-examination, intentional spiritual discipline, and deepening of the holy habits that inform Christian living. The tradition of fasting, whether it be of food, some daily activity, or even restraint of unhealthy practices, is intended to remind us of our dependence upon God and our need to grow [...]

When I was a teenager, I discovered a weekly column called “Thanks a Million” written by wealthy businessman and philanthropist Percy Ross. People who needed help would write to Mr. Ross explaining their situation and asking for financial assistance. Portions of the requests were included along with Percy’s rationale for his decision, which usually contained [...]

I recently came across a 2022 story from the long-running CBS current events program 60 Minutes. The segment was about the betrayal of Anne Frank and her family during the Holocaust. In 1944, Nazi officials were alerted to the specific location where young Anne and her Jewish family were hiding in Amsterdam. They were indeed [...]

This Sunday many preachers who follow the Revised Standard Lectionary will use Luke 6:27-38 as their main text.  The words Jesus utters in those verses should convince anyone that being a Jesus follower is not just a matter of “believing” or having the “right” theology.  It involves living toward others, without exclusion, a life of [...]

“Grace and peace to you from God, through our Savior Jesus Christ.” This is a salutation Paul used in some form to open many of his epistles. I thought I would use it here as the Holy Spirit has drawn me to invite us to ponder one of the most excellent transitional moments in all [...]

I greet you in the name of Christ, our Savior…who was, and is, and is to come! Recently I had lunch with two clergy colleagues who are both currently on sabbatical. It was great to catch up with them, learn how they are spending their sabbath time, and to listen as they each expressed what [...]

I have heard variations over the years of a quote that says, “The end of something is actually the edges of what has been and what will be...” In some ways January is a month with two edges. The conclusion of 2024 is also the edge of the emergence of 2025. Elements of each overlap [...]

Greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is, and was, and is to come. I’m sure you’ve used the following phrases before to describe someone: “They have the heart of …” or “They have a heart for…”. The word or phrase that completes them varies from person to person. Successful athletes, such [...]

Greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is, and was, and is to come. I hope the Year of our Lord 2025 is off to a good start for you. We are eighteen days in and as I scan the list of appointments, local church and missional agency visits, and preaching engagements [...]

I don’t know when “normal” stopped being its usual self, but it seems like life just hasn’t felt very normal in quite a while. As we transition to a new year, I’ve been reflecting on what transpired in 2024 and projecting what 2025 might bring. In doing so, I’ve discovered that perhaps things are actually [...]