The most interesting man in the world is not in ads for a premium beer. Instead, although He existed in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be clutched onto, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. (Philippians 2:6,7) Christ Jesus is the most interesting man in the…

It’s Monday of Holy Week. The journey from Palm Sunday to Easter sometimes seems longer than one week. As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for you, my God, says Psalm 42:1. Stay thirsty, my friends.

Especially poignant this weekend as Holy Week begins. This is from an excellent article that I referenced here last weekend — Pray and Play. Eugene Peterson, one of my theological heroes and author of The Message, once said that there are only two rules for Sabbath: play and pray. Now in his eighth decade of…

Holy Week begins this weekend. What are your plans to observe its significance?  

When I was an exchange student to a Roman Catholic seminary, I picked up a delightful meditative chorus that says, “If today you hear His voice, harden not your heart.”  That line’s a quote from Hebrews 3:15. A couple of days ago we thought together here about Christ Jesus saying that his own hear and…

Arise and shine! Your light is here,  and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. — Isaiah 60:1 The sixth week of Lent starts today. And where is God today? According to our Wednesdays-in-Lent Scripture, right where you right now: the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  Let’s bask in this today. The…

We were having a great time, both of us driving and talking on our phones. We were using the appropriate, legal hands-free devices. We were having an intense conversation. But then we weren’t. One of us drove through a dead zone. We lost connection and I couldn’t hear her voice. Same thing happens with us and…

Cardinal Edward Egan was Archbishop emeritus of New York, and died on March 5th. He’s remembered by a friend, Archbishop Demetrios of America, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, this way: “a kind and gentle church leader always focusing on serving his people in the best way and connecting them with God.”…

From two friends and colleagues, David and Lisa — Lisa writes, Whew! This quote hit me where it hurts. “Once a week, God walks out on the Sabbath bridge to meet us. But most of us are no shows; we unapologetically stand up the Creator of the universe, week after week.” Thanks David Oliver Kueker…

The recently-deceased Cardinal Edward Egan of New York had three key questions. “Is it good for the people?” was first. Then, “Will it help lead them to Jesus?” Finally, “Will it build up the faith?” That third one…boom. Does what you and I say and do build up the faith or not? Pardon me, time for Confession.…