“‘What’s your greatest challenge in youth ministry?’ I asked a youth pastor. “He leaned under his desk and pulled out a soccer ball. “Our parents would rather their children learn soccer than Jesus.” — Wm. Willimon, The Last Supper, page…

I’m getting out of the way —- https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18EQqb5AV2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

“Leaving the Pharisee’s stuffy table a shambles, Jesus and his merry band hit the road. Along the way, his stories continue. “The word parable comes from the Greek meaning ‘throw out,’ ‘toss.’ “Why pitch these curve-ball riddles toward us? To…

Working with Luke 7:36-50, our retired United Methodist Bishop Wm. Willimon points out that — “We aren’t told of the ‘sin’ of this woman who is ‘touching him’ (Greek: haupto, also ‘caress.’ ‘fondle’). Luke just says she’s a ‘woman of…

“Good news: your misunderstanding and incomprehension,” Bishop Willimon reminds us all, “won’t stop him from talking.” For which I’m grateful!And you?

“A parable is a GPS taking you to a new world that’s God’s rather than the fake world in which we bedded down,” continues Willimon. And then comes this invite: “Want to join Jesus at his table? “ Who wouldn’t?…

“These days we prefer truth handed to us on a platter,” a book I read during my recent Enforced Recovery from Surgery pointed out. “Sorry, that’s not Jesus’ way,” it went on. “Sure, Jesus wants to connect with us, but…

“Grief is not the cost of love,” Carley Turner said at her grandmother’s Celebration of Life yesterday afternoon, “grief is the reward.” And I share it with her graciously expressed permission. Want to know more? Good place to start would…

I met George Plasterer while a student at Asbury seminary…about eight or nine years ago, right?…his lunch table was a favorite spot of mine. Here is one example why, which he recently wrote – – – Many of us who…