In the Name Psalm 27:1, 3-5, 11-14 and Luke 13:31-35 “There are six Herods in the Bible, and each one is pretty much the same guy: a petty tyrant with a touch of megalomania, paranoid, callous,” beholden to the Romans, “religious but in a conniving way, rich, and often cruel.” […]
For Forty Days Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 and Luke 4:1-13 My father has always appreciated cars. When I was a child, there were many times when he would take me to a car lot to look at the new models. On these trips, I always knew that he wasn’t buying anything. […]
“Sibling Rivalry” Luke 6:27-38 and Genesis 45:3-11, 15 I once heard a story about a pastor who sent an intentionally snarky email to some of his clergy friends. In closing, he sarcastically wrote “Your Lord and Savior” before signing his name. His friends knew that he was joking. They rolled […]
“First, He Healed Them” Jeremiah 17:5-10 and Luke 6:17-26 Let’s say that a man goes to the doctor because he’s having trouble sleeping. This is the presenting problem. Of course, there are all kinds of ways to deal with this issue. But, first, the physician needs to ask some questions. […]
“These Three” 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 I have never studied Spanish, and I don’t know much of it. But, I have traveled to Honduras on three, separate occasions. The first time I was in college. I can still remember riding in a 12-passenger van while the driver rocked out to pop […]
“Jesus’ First Sermon” Psalm 19:7-10, 14 and Luke 4:14-21 When I was in seminary and living in New Jersey, my parents drove up from South Carolina for a visit. As a part of their stay, we decided that we would travel by train from Princeton to New York City – […]
“Serving the Best” Psalm 36:5-10 and John 2:1-11 “Water is the great elixir of the Bible. One must have lived in a dry country for even a little while to know the force of the symbolism of thirst” and its relief. In the Middle East, no one speaks ill of […]
“A Voice” Isaiah 43:1-2, 5-7 and Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 “Eleven-year-old Darren stood at the edge of the diving board at the local YMCA… for 25 minutes. His swimming teacher was treading water in the deep end, calling out to him to no longer hesitate and jump in. His classmates were […]
“Where?” Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12 History is often told in relation to the earthly rulers who exhibit control in one realm or another. And so, in Matthew’s telling of the birth narrative, it appears as though “Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father, is born into Herod’s time.” [1] […]
