Followers of Messiah Jesus know that the world is often upside down and inside out relative to the Kingdom of God. We expect therefore to encounter hatred not love; selfishness not sacrifice; violence not gentleness; and bearing of crosses not crowns. We expect this because we are followers of Jesus. In recent days, followers of …
Category Archives: Main Blog
“The Least of These” Includes Ahmaud Arbery
To be profiled, targeted, accosted, and shot dead is to be among “the least,” unseen, unheard, misunderstood, and denied help. It is to be among people Jesus sees, hears, understands, and treats as Family. To diminish or dismiss, to deny or deflect, to excuse or “explain” the horror of this is to align with …
Continue reading ““The Least of These” Includes Ahmaud Arbery”
Post-Pandemic Possiblities
Pandemics force us all to change, whether we like it or not. Among the most drastic changes are restrictions on travel, gathering with others, and going about our business—literally our means of livelihood but also our range of activities outside our homes. Pandemics claim our attention, require us to do life differently than before, and …
Extreme Alternatives or Doubling Down Discipleship
Imagine that you, a loved one, or a friend were stricken with the COVID-19 virus. Then, imagine a politician asserting that it would be the lesser of two evils to suspend the social practices now curbing the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives than to maintain such practices and further threaten the economy. That is: …
Continue reading “Extreme Alternatives or Doubling Down Discipleship”
A Barren Tree and a Barren Temple
Why did Jesus pick on the poor fig tree? Especially when it wasn’t time for figs to be ripe? Well, Mark tells us Jesus was hungry (Mark 11:12). Apparently, then, Jesus became “hangry?” He saw the leaves and went to see if by chance this tree fruited earlier than usual. Then, when it didn’t, Jesus …