Benediction: The Prodigal Son
One of the jokes I’ve always heard about Sunday School is that if you don’t know the answer to a question, just answer “Jesus,” “God” or “The Bible” and you’ll probably get it right. I think I’d like to add “God throws a feast” to that list. God creates man and invites him to eat … Continue reading Benediction: The Prodigal Son
Benediction: Ephesians 1:1-3
I think if we, the church, want to live into the resurrected life we have been called to, the first step is the most obvious, the most overlooked, and the hardest step in the process to swallow. It is that to be resurrected, you must be dead. And once you can recognize that, then you … Continue reading Benediction: Ephesians 1:1-3
Benediction: Sabbath
I know for me, the greatest hindrance to Sabbath rest is fear. What would happen if I paused? Because I’m addicted to the suffocating idea that I’m somehow in control. Or, if I’m not, it’s something in my life — my boss, my spouse, my kids, my parents, my culture, someone in government, my plans … Continue reading Benediction: Sabbath
Benediction: The Prodigal Son
Enter into the perspective of the younger son. You’ve spit in your father’s face, left home and lived a failed life, and are now headed back to his house.You crest the hill and your father’s house comes into view. Do you believe he would still run to you? Or are you still practicing your speech? … Continue reading Benediction: The Prodigal Son
Poem – Triptych: Huntington, WV
The trees on the furthest hills are obscured by fog. But, like the trees in view, they will no doubt be reaching up their bare, dead fingers To the gray sky. “The air is too warm today to have killed you. No need to die.” -Go on, now. We don’t need your help. Will the … Continue reading Poem – Triptych: Huntington, WV
Benediction: The Prodigal Son – The Father
One of my favorite theologians, Robert Capon, suggests that the best name for the Parable we are studying would be “The Man Who Had Two Sons.” That’s how Jesus introduces it in any case. And isn’t that what its about? A father with two sons, who is dead set on throwing a party for them. … Continue reading Benediction: The Prodigal Son – The Father
Benediction: Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart;” So what if he does? And isn’t that question answered when God took on flesh and he searched us by becoming us? He lived with us, he questioned us, he danced and sang and cried with us, he suffered with us and then suffered and died because of … Continue reading Benediction: Psalm 139:23-24
Benediction: On “Communion”
Jesus’ last meal was with a bunch of cowards and backstabbers, and he knew it. He went on from that meal to be lied about, betrayed, arrested, beaten and murdered. To add insult to injury, after the crucifixion we read how the disciples seem to have given up on the whole thing and gone back … Continue reading Benediction: On “Communion”
Benediction: Jonah 3-4
There are some theologians who think that when Jesus was telling the story of the Prodigal Son he was intentionally re-imagining the story of Jonah. If we think about Jonah sitting on the hillside, angry at God’s mercy toward undeserving people, we can see how similar it is to the Older Brother, refusing to join … Continue reading Benediction: Jonah 3-4
Benediction: Matthew 5:20
The Old Testament is a story of failure. Repeated Failure. A thousand odd pages of God telling people “Trust me and live”, and people responding with a “No thanks.”. And apart from a jump in time, my story, and your story would fit in perfectly well. Which is why these passages from Jeremiah read with … Continue reading Benediction: Matthew 5:20
Benediction: On “Christianity”
Karl Barth was a theologian who literally wrote millions of words and thousands of pages trying to formulate what Christianity was. There’s a story–that might be true–that he was once asked if he could sum it all up in one sentence. He said “Jesus loves me, This I know, For the Bible tells me so.” … Continue reading Benediction: On “Christianity”
Benediction: Beatitudes – Those Who Mourn
In the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead we read how Mary and Martha come to Jesus to tell him that their brother is very ill and will die and can Jesus please come before that happens? Jesus waits a couple of days before going to where Lazarus by that time has died … Continue reading Benediction: Beatitudes – Those Who Mourn
Benediction: Beatitudes – The Poor in Spirit
It’s not the strong or the worthy, but the poor in spirit who will inherit the Kingdom of God. May God give you the grace to see your brokenness, to sit with your hurt, and offer up your emptiness, to know that you ARE the poor in spirit. And so, whatever you are holding on … Continue reading Benediction: Beatitudes – The Poor in Spirit
Benediction: Parenting
One of my favorite songs is called “Broken Tether” by the Collection. The singer is wrestling with his failure and claims that if he were to meet God in person he’d change all his ways and be a better person–which might be true. But then comes a line that gets me every time: I hope … Continue reading Benediction: Parenting
Benediction: Jonah 1
Jonah is clearly a failed Christ figure. He even spent 3 days in a tomb that should have been the end of his life. Both were asked to go into the middle of those who hated them and preach the love and grace of God. Jonah chose to run, but Christ chose to die, even … Continue reading Benediction: Jonah 1
Benediction: Jonah 2
Many of the questions we ask God can’t be answered directly, not because God doesn’t know the answers but because our questions don’t make sense. As C.S. Lewis once pointed out, many of our questions are, from God’s point of view, rather like someone asking, “Is yellow square or round?” or “How many hours are … Continue reading Benediction: Jonah 2
Poem – Original Design
The dirt pile my son created several summers ago is now a green, rolling feature of our front yard. Time has worn away his fingerprints such that it now bears the image of God’s original design. Continue reading Poem – Original Design
Benediction: Isaiah 42:1-9
One of our biggest roadblocks to justice is the zero sum, winner takes all mentality.We also can’t just pursue Justice, but we must do so from a properly oriented heart.Maybe one helpful step in getting there, especially as we continue through this season of lent, is to remember that we were playing a zero sum … Continue reading Benediction: Isaiah 42:1-9
Essay: “Lift Up Thine Eyes”
I was born in Huntington, WV, which, for several years in a row, was ranked by Business Insider as “The Most Miserable City in America“, as well as “America’s Most Depressed, Unhealthy And Lethargic City“. I saw that in 2019 we jumped from #1 to #24, which is exciting considering the 20,000ish incorporated cities in … Continue reading Essay: “Lift Up Thine Eyes”
Poem – Sweetness too simple
The expectant dead surround meStanding. I see my shadow only and know I am alone.There amidst the circus beasts’ bonesI no longer have the strength or will to turnAnd see the light that burnsMy shade on the wall of the cave.(They will say “But he is a knaveWho in the garden labours,And is unable to … Continue reading Poem – Sweetness too simple
Worthy of Imagination 