in Matthew
Economy of God
Before I read the gospel lesson today, I want to show you a film clip from “Les Misérables,” the movie, not the musical. Jean Valjean has just been released from prison and pledged to become...
in Forgiveness
About Forgiveness
Often times, the preferred God of our culture is depicted as a “no-fault” God, giving unconditional pardons to everyone for all that we do. No questions asked. This is natural for a culture like ours...
in Matthew
Look and Listen
I was just in Colorado last weekend on a ski trip with three of my friends – yes, there are actually people who will admit to being my friends. Quite apart from skiing, my friend...
in Prayer
A Matter of Perspective
The late comedian Flip Wilson had a funny bit on prayer. “Hey, I’m talkin’ to God right now. Anyone want anything?” This is how people tend to view prayer. You ask God for things you...
in Matthew
Judgment, Humility, and Love
The Sermon on the Mount is a sermon to Jesus’ followers about how we are to live in God’s kingdom which has come right here on earth in the form of Jesus. So, yes, that...
in Prayer
Abba
On Friday night, I had the opportunity to go to Orchestra Hall for a symphony with my oldest son, Thomas, the saxophone player. We had dinner, enjoyed a great concert, ran into Thomas’s cousin and...
in Matthew
in Matthew
The New Kingdom Takes Shape
Ah, January. The time of year many Americans resolve to do battle with their humanity. You know, during the holidays, every time we walk by a box of chocolates or peanut M and M’s, we...
in Christmas
The Other Side of Christmas
Welcome to the Christmas story according to Matthew! While Luke’s version is an intimate little affair, taking place in a stable with shepherds and farm animals, Matthew’s version is the opposite. It’s about royalty. A...
in Christmas
Holes In the Darkness
When the Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson was a child in 19th century Scotland, the story is told that one night his nanny came into his nursery to put him to bed. She found the...