Much of the church in the U.S., including my own, needs change, change, and more change. Even a quick glance at what is happening around and among us should be enough to convince us that the church simply must change. In the U.S., most denominations are in decline and some of them must “pull up” …
Category Archives: The Way of Jesus
How Lent Leads to Kingdom Blessing
The Kingdom that begins with Lent leads us to 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 …
No, Mary Didn’t Know
Of course, that is the point of the song, isn’t it? Mary could never have guessed all that her child, hers yet God’s, would do. The exploits, the healing, the mastery of all powers earthly and heavenly, and the use of them all to love people whole and well. Then again, had Mary thought about what …
WHEN EXILES SING ZION’S SONG
Earthquakes, coup d’état, and plague convert citizens into refugees, and homeland into exile, as has happened last week in Haiti and Afghanistan. Against such painful backdrop, the People of God in Jesus Messiah have a song to sing that offers hope from a deeper and wider story. Consider how. The ancient people of God experienced …
The Politics of The Lord’s Prayer III
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is …