When Jesus entered Jerusalem, it must have excited and energized the crowds who welcomed him. Garments spread on the path, palm branches waving in the air, jubilant cries lifted to the heavens: “Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest! Welcome, Jesus, long awaited Messiah of God and Israel!” A number must have enthused, “It’s about time! We …
Category Archives: Free Methodism
Kingdom, Lent, and Blessing
The Kingdom that begins with Lent also begins with blessing. There is the call to turn—repent!—which is Lent. There then comes a pronouncement: “Blessed!” Consider how stunning this is. When Jesus begins to teach about the Kingdom of God, the first word is “Blessed!” This is not what we expected, not from God almighty in …
OLYMPIC IMAGININGS
This evening I plan to join a billion others in watching the opening ceremonies of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. I am confident that my billion plus friends and I will be treated to stunning sights, sounds, and sentiments. Together we will be like a crowd no one could number easily or ever, …
ON HAITI AND AFRICA
As last week wound down, and then over the weekend, we all heard reports of disparaging remarks about the nation of Haiti and certain unnamed African countries. These reports have sparked many different kinds of responses from people of different faiths and no faith, different political leanings, and different tones. The Free Methodist Church commits …
I DON’T SEE JESUS!
“But I don’t see Jesus!” That is what little Ari, our granddaughter, said at bed time when we asked her whether she wanted to pray. She hesitated or declined to say the prayers because she couldn’t “see” Jesus. She had spent Christmas Day with us, along with siblings and parents, and then had stayed over …