Nearly seventy years ago, William Barclay wrote: “[i]t is a grim commentary on human nature that many a book and many a play and many a film has had success…
It’s no accident, no coincidence, that temptation follows baptism. John offered a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jews were familiar with the forgiveness of sins: they gloried…
The lectionary that several denominations use—the order of Scripture readings for the year—is organized in such a way that, around this time of year each year, we hear Jesus speaking…
There are those who are convinced, those who will remain unconvinced, and others who just don’t know. What’s the necessary element, the catalyst, for conviction, for belief? In science, it’s…
“Of what terrible things is the human heart the source! From self flow impurity, dishonesty, wickedness, knavery, deceit, lust, haughtiness, blasphemy, senselessness, and everything that is evil. These things are…
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Those are funeral words, graveside words, goodbye words. I’ve baptized many, marking them with water. Today, I mark you with ashes. Nothing in Scripture…
In Boston in 1770, Perez Morton penned these words: “When Jesus wept, the falling tear in mercy flowed beyond all bound. When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear seized all the…
“One in heart and mind” (4:32) is how we speak of people close as can be. We tend to reserve that sort of talk for those very much in love. …
Jonah has had a transforming experience. He had been living his faith his way. Look where it got him. God wasn’t interested in making Jonah sorry, though; God is interested…
My boys like to read at night, even after it’s time for lights out. That’s when they get out their flashlights, so dad won’t know. Only, dad knows when their…