Make Way for the Kings and Queens

This time of year the headlines are full of familiar references to churches and those who claim to follow Christ. There will be stories about “pilgrims” making their way to Bethlehem, the “faithful” flocking into the Vatican, and “believers” gathering for Christmas Eve in churches aplenty. Within the musty corridors of numerous tiny churches scattered READ MORE

Good News of God

Here are a couple of important questions for you to answer. First, do you ever find yourself overwhelmed with an internal darkness that leaves you frightened, worried, empty, and convinced you must live the most obscure and alone life anybody has ever experienced? The second question is this: if Jesus were to speak to you, READ MORE

“With You I Am Well Pleased”

When was the last time you really, truly felt loved and appreciated? Like you were special? That someone, anyone, really delighted in . . . well . . . you? The ancient Israelites wrestled with these questions. They felt forgotten. Abandoned. Lost and desperate. Isaiah 63:19 gives a hint of this, at which place their READ MORE

Meals at Home

Transformative time around a meal plays a prominent role throughout the Bible. Surely this was in mind when the Lord God told the people of Israel, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today READ MORE

Reflections on a Massive Feeding

In recent days I have spent some time focusing on the four accounts from the New Testament of Jesus feeding the 5,000 men (Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, John 6). I have been looking at these various accounts of this famous event by means of that old spiritual practice known as the Lectio Divina. READ MORE

The Preacher’s Scrap Pile: The Groom of John 3

Among the details found within the rich fabric of John 3, is a reference regarding the love the Divine Groom has for his precious bride Israel. Consider John 3:29: The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore READ MORE