Fearless Rest

“I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given[read more]

Faith and Honesty

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You have faith in God, have faith also in me.  In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.  If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” John 14: 1-2 I can’t recall when or where it[read more]

Whose Work Is It?

Leaders of the people and elders:  If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God[read more]

The Non-Dichotomized Life

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”[read more]

Giving From The Inside

“Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish. But your insides are full of greed and wickedness!  Fools!  Didn’t the one who made the outside also make the inside? So instead, give that which is inside as alms.” Luke 11: 39-41 Luke Timothy Johnson offers a quite unique translation of Luke 11:41:[read more]

Approach and Avoidance

Over time I’ve discovered that one of the most difficult questions for us to answer is “What do you really want?” We have plenty of wants, and, like the merchant in the parable, we search the world seeking to satisfy them. The very engine of our economy runs on our having wants, and often what we even feel as needs, that we’ll pay to fulfill.[read more]

Servants Or Friends?

In the developed world today, although many are still involved in taxing physical labor, many are now freed of that demand. And yet, the result has not been greater creative and restful leisure, a deepening capacity for spiritual enjoyment. It has rather, mysteriously, resulted in an even increased culture of work.[read more]