“Forgiveness is a beautiful idea – until you have something to forgive.” (C.S.Lewis) (Listen here to the reflection that this post is based on. Length: 12:32) Maybe you’ve heard of Corrie Ten Boom, who grew up in Holland before WWII. Her family had a hiding place for Jews in their home, and one day […]
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PSALMS FOR LENT: Find GRACE in the Penitential Psalms
The Psalms are unique in the Bible because on one hand, they are prayers of people pouring out their hearts to God; but at the same time, they are the words of God. When we pray with them, our thirst for him meets his thirst for us. The psalms reveal HIS heart while they bare […]
C.R.O.S.S.—the 2nd “S” is for “Salvation”
“Cross” is a short word of only five letters, but break it apart and it contains the whole story of the Bible. C.R.O.S.S.—Creation, Redemption, One nation, Separation, Salvation. The story of the Bible is our story, too, and each of these stages helps us get the “big picture” of our life in Christ. The series […]
C.R.O.S.S.—the 1st “S” is for “Separation”
How did Israel end up scattered in exile? What happened to the promises of God? And what difference does this make to me? “Cross” is a short word of only five letters, but break it apart and it contains the whole story of the Bible. C.R.O.S.S.—Creation, Redemption, One nation, Separation, Salvation. The story of the […]
Scripture Reflection
Scripture Reflection Here I share the fruits of my personal reflection on the Word of God, whether I’m reading along with the lectionary readings for that week or exploring a particular book of the Bible. Enjoy the posts that appear below; you’ll find them with the most recent first. If you’re looking for something in […]
MOVIE NIGHT: A Lesson in Prayer from “Little Big Man”
Near the end of Little Big Man, the 1970 film with Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, and Chief Dan George, the aged medicine man—who has survived the massacre at Wounded Knee and seen victory at the Battle of Little Big Horn—prepares to die. On a high, lonely mountain he sings and dances before the god he […]
DON’T BE AFRAID: Jesus is with you!
One week after Easter, I can totally relate to the disciples. They are huddled behind locked doors, afraid of what the Jews might do to them. They must be still in shock from the crucifixion, even though they’ve been hearing that Jesus has risen. He’s not with them in the same way that he used […]
WHO DESERVES MERCY?
The man lies on a stretcher, desperately in need of medical attention. He’s not far from the door to the hospital, but no one will admit him. It’s a Union army hospital—and the man is a Confederate soldier. A nurse tries in vain to get him help. Finally she cries out, fiercely, “Everyone deserves mercy!” […]
LOVE: ALWAYS THERE FOR THE GIVING
“When you run out of love, just make some more!” My grandmother used to tell me this when I was having trouble loving someone or forgiving them. You might not like someone, but you can always love them. “Like,” having to do with feelings, you can’t control. “Love,” having to do with actions, you can. […]
THE POWER OF LOVE TO HEAL: John 21:15-19
Years ago, I betrayed the trust of another mom who thought I was watching her child. It was not intentional (I did not know she thought I had her child) so strictly speaking it was not a betrayal, but that is how she felt. Any relationship we might have had was broken. The balm of […]
