This Easter morning our pastor asks, “How would you complete the sentence: Jesus is my…” HOPE. That’s the first word to pop in my mind. As Esau McCaulley wrote this week “Christians, at their best, are the fools who dare believe in God’s power to call dead things to life.” Go ahead, call me a … Continue reading When I Begin To Lose Hope, Three R’s Rescue Me
One of the most beautiful things about the holy scriptures to me is the way it is both same ol’ same ol’ and magnificently new. God was, is, and forever will begracious and compassionate,slow to anger,abounding in loyal love and faithfulness. Halleluja God was, is, and forever will bein charge of the winds, the waves, … Continue reading The Wind, Waves, Jesus, and Baal
The Bible Project did a 14-part podcast series on five characteristics that God uses when describing Himself to Moses. Their discussions on the middle attribute – slow to anger – were fascinating. In particular, I couldn’t stop thinking about their question, “Who is the first person God gets angry with in the Scriptures?” Unbelievably, the … Continue reading Character of God: Slow To Anger
I wonder: did the prophet get peppered with questions and unsolicited advice when he rolled out this song to his listeners (Isaiah 42:1-9)? Behold my servant, whom I uphold,my chosen, in whom my soul delights; Uh, hello? Your new song is about a servant? Even if this so-called agent of choice of yours brings delight … Continue reading Isaiah 42: The Song You Didn’t Expect To Like
I have a hard time remembering things. The part of my brain that’s supposed to squirrel things away for reference later got overused, I suspect, by all the memorization I did in high school and college. I wish this wasn’t the case because there are many things I’d now love to hold on to in … Continue reading Psalm 120: A Crossroads
O Lord, this week’s news is like ash in my mouth. O my God, say it isn’t so!But it is. 1,500 then.545 now.The truth is we aredividers. So in the posture of Daniel,I sink low to pray, petition, and confess. O Lord, to you belongs righteousness,but to us open shamebecause of our divisive acts. O Lord, you are … Continue reading Confessions Of The Dividers
“Is there a way to let your readers inside your head?” asked My Love this week. “Uh, no way!” was my initial response. “It’s messed up in there!” But then I let him explain. He liked hearing what thoughts were bouncing around in my brain while writing this meditation on Psalm 6. So below is … Continue reading A Meditation on Psalm 6 Unpacked
A psalm of imperfect, fault-ridden, wildly messed up David.A psalm of prayerful, praise-filled, repentant David. As Eugene Peterson says, “The story of David is not a story of what God wants us to be but a story of God working with the raw material of our lives as he finds us.” Show me the way, … Continue reading A Meditation On Psalm 6: Mercy I Am Requesting
Religion. Politics. Two subjects to avoid in polite company. Everyone knows this. And yet when reminded of this adage, my pastor says “Phooey!” Ok, he didn’t literally say that on Sunday, but he might as well. Every election season, when we all start acting like a bunch of crazed, angry, fearful, and impolite humans, Pastor … Continue reading Religion. Politics. Phooey.
Two questions. Asked in the wrong order. That’s what the pastor said the story was about. It’s near dusk on the lake shore. A calm setting of the sun with gentle breezes. The group of twelve apprentices hear their leader say, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” Sure thing. They have … Continue reading Two Questions In The Wrong Order
Lord, Come Quickly 