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...
Vertically Inclined
When my oldest son, Thomas, was seven years old, he and I were on our way to pick up a Christmas tree when he asked a question: “Dad, do you believe in Santa Claus?” I...
in Advent
When Longing Becomes Promise
Advent is a season of waiting. Waiting for God to be with us, waiting for God’s will to be done, waiting for you, me and our neighbor to be made whole after this world has...
For Just Such a Time as This
Frodo – “I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened” Gandalf – “So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them...
in Calling
On the Matter of Callings
In Jeremiah 1, we learn that Jeremiah was called by God personally. The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and consecrated you. I appointed you to be...
in Thanksgiving
Bending Toward Justice
We’ve been remembering veterans this past week, especially those from WWI on the 100th anniversary of “The war to end all wars”…if only it were true. And yet, sometimes, even in the most horrific circumstances,...
in Healing
Naaman’s Strange Journey of Healing
The story of the healing of Naaman is an ancient story, but it speaks to today in some very poignant ways. To appreciate it though, we need to take some time and explore the narrative...
Of Burning Barns and Freedom
My friend tells a story from his days growing up on a North Dakota farm. He was just a boy when his father woke him up the middle of the then night and told him...