Does Prayer “Work?”
Many of us may harbor a degree of skepticism regarding the power of prayer to accomplish what seems to be promised. And, for all of the sermons and classes and books describing Christian prayer, we...
Tradition
Tradition is the anchor of our identity. But it can also be the oppressor of what seeks to emerge as new and to liberate those confined to a regressive way of doing things.
Look on the Bright Side
In Luke’s gospel today, Jesus takes a somewhat rare definitive position by stating that bad things can happen to innocent people, and that the tragedies of life do not constitute punishment for bad behavior. That...
Who Are My Enemies?
The very idea of quickly forgiving someone who was guilty of a terrible crime seemed obscene, even a violation in itself of a greater ethical standard of justice. I could not honestly predict how I...
A Season of Anger?
Advent is most often called a season of Hope, but there is more to the story. The season also speaks to the necessary disruption of the routine of life, the clashing of agendas of power,...
Bread and Dependency
On this very day, millions of people will be physically hungry, and in the face of such deprivation, thinking about the reality of spiritual hunger can seem like the very definition of privilege. But many...
Inferiority Complex
Christianity was born in a difficult environment and faced daunting challenges in attaining a place of security and respect within the cultural landscape. Christians were literally mocked for worshiping a leader who not only laid...
Out of the Box
It’s interesting to note that Jesus never offers any “new” teaching. His primary goal seems to be to reassure his closest followers that he is still with them, although in a different manner. But one...
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Phillip and I experienced something of a “kitchen disaster” this past Christmas. We had been dealing with a pesky small leak under the sink, which seemed to keep popping up despite multiple visits from the...
Goats, Sheep, and All Types of Creatures
It seems to me that we’ve had a lot of goats showing up in the news lately. But before I go any further, I’d like to speak to the fact that goats have been routinely...