Lent. From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Christians mark a six-week season meant to focus on God’s presence in our world and our lives. It’s a time when churches typically offer special services and devotional practices. Among other things, Lent is a time for prayer. Prayer is a confusing thing… Read More »Praying as Jesus Taught
It’s a difficult topic. Most people prefer avoiding it entirely. But for those of us who are Christian, we’re at the time of year when it’s a topic that’s difficult to avoid. Suffering. During the traditional forty-day season of Lent, Christians are asked to reflect on the suffering of Jesus… Read More »Lent: Pain, Suffering, and the Cross
There’s something exciting about a parade. It could be the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses parade, or even a Pride parade. Each of them is a spectacle. There was this kind of spectacle that happened each year in Jerusalem during the Roman occupation. The Roman governor,… Read More »When a Parade Becomes Street Theater: Reflections of Palm Sunday
Many churches will not have services this week. In the case of churches continuing to hold services, many people will opt not to attend for health concerns. As a way to support the spiritual journey of Christians during this Lenten Season, for the remaining Sundays of Lent, I will post… Read More »Reflections on The Raising of Lazarus
The Woman at the Well Many churches will not have services this week. In the case of churches continuing to hold services, many people will opt not to attend for health concerns. As a way to support the spiritual journey of Christians during this Lenten Season, for the remaining Sundays… Read More »The Woman at the Well
It’s a statement that resonated within me as soon as she said it. “I went into ministry to help people. Now that I’m retired, I realized that I spent most of my time trying to fix a broken institution which can’t be fixed.” I’ve known my friend for over twenty… Read More »The Church: A Broken Institution That Can’t Be Fixed
I’ve experienced many different kinds of transitions in my life. I’ve lived in Johnstown, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Morgantown, WV; Miami Beach, FL; Tucson, AZ; St. Louis, MO; and Atlanta, GA. Movements from city to city represent one kind of transition I’ve experienced. I’ve held many different jobs: hospital chaplain, pastor,… Read More »Transitions and Transfigurations
It’s an age-old question … one that people continue to ask. Why is this happening? Things happen to us that we view as bad. We look for a reason. We ask these questions when we don’t get the job we want, when a relationship doesn’t work out, or when a… Read More »Jesus, God’s Glory, and the Law of Attraction