February 3, 2022
In his Sermon on the Mount, after his Beatitudes and before he launches into the meat of his talk, Jesus pauses, and so will we. He pauses to introduce his main teaching by saying this: Do not think that I […]
January 27, 2022
In his Sermon on the Mount, after his Beatitudes and before he launches into the meat of his talk, Jesus tells his followers: “You are the salt of the earth. …You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-14) Last […]
January 19, 2022
As Jesus transitions from his Beatitudes into the depth of the Sermon on the Mount, he makes a declaration: “You are the salt of the earth. …You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-14) What jumps out at me […]
January 13, 2022
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were close friends, both with absolutely brilliant minds, and the ability to make seemingly complicated theology very simple. Lewis famously observed, “Jesus is either who he said he is, or he is a liar or […]
January 5, 2022
We finished 2021, pre-Christmas, studying the Beatitudes. I intend to return to the Beatitudes for a thorough deep dive. But for now, I want to start this new year reminding you of “What is most Important.” Here again is a […]
December 29, 2021
Apparently this went out in one of my friend’s Christmas cards this year. I must have written it back in 2004, just as we were getting 721 started. Here it is unedited from 17 years ago… Recently I realized exactly […]
December 23, 2021
A Mini-Series on Joseph and Mary Joseph: Well, this is Joseph and I’m back, and I’m with Mary, and yes, we are together! Maybe you already know the rest of our story. I had decided to divorce Mary quietly, foregoing my dowry, […]
December 16, 2021
A Mini-Series on Joseph and Mary My name is Joseph and I could use a little guidance. My life has turned upside down and I am conflicted – to say the least – as to how to respond. As my father often said, “Joseph, […]
December 9, 2021
A Mini-Series on Joseph and Mary Hi, I’m Mary, and I am sick to my stomach. Literally, but also figuratively, as well. I’m 14 years old, and my dreams are about to come true. Or were about to come true. It all looks so […]
December 2, 2021
“Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” Fred De Witt Van Amburgh There is a wonderful Jewish Passover song that is sung during the Passover meal, called “Dayenu.” Dayenu translates: “It would have been […]
August 12, 2021
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Eph. 5:33) When I am officiating a wedding, one of my go-to passages is this one from Ephesians. Of […]
July 22, 2021
Last week I asked you this: “If you read only Genesis 1 & 2 and Revelation 21 & 22, what would you conclude the Bible is all about? What is God’s main story line?” The answer? Shalom: Peace, harmony, balance, […]