In recent days I have heard several people say something like: “I am not trying to be political, now, …” or “Please don’t take this as a political statement,” or “Not to be political but … !” I think I know what each was trying to say, or not to say. But each time I …
Category Archives: The Good News
IF JESUS WERE AN IMMIGRANT
A lot of people are talking about immigration and immigrants these days. Whether for or against; whether the gospel Jesus proclaimed and embodied has anything to do with it, and if so what; whether immigrants pose a threat to us, and if they do exactly what sort of threat—inconvenience, discomfort, danger, death; whether immigrants from …
THE GLORY AND THE PEACE
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace for people of God’s good will (Luke 2:14).” It is common to pass quickly from these traditional words of praise to the detailed account of what the Shepherds discovered at the Bethlehem crèche—the child swaddled, parents adoringly attending, and the animals carrying on as usual. …
Worship on Independence Weekend
Several years ago, the Fourth of July was on Sunday, and we were on a vacation. As is our custom, Lavone and I went to a worship service that Holiday Sunday morning. As soon as we entered, however, I knew we were “in trouble!” There were numerous U.S. flags displayed over the front of the …
Jesus Comes for Us and for All
The Lord our God loves, chooses, and works with/through a people to right the wrong of their lives and world, whatever, however, whenever But, the Lord does so, not just for them, but for all, as many as will … The Lord loves his own, so that he may love all. The Lord comes to …