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Hebrews 2:14-15

“Look! A cross!” These three words came from the mouth of a seven-year-old girl.  A couple of years ago, my wife and I took a short trip to Custer State Park in South Dakota. We had some company. Our goddaughter and her family went with us. While there, we visited its famous burros. These burros are descendants from the group of donkeys that used to give rides from the Sylvan Lake Lodge to Harney Peak. As time and technology progressed, the need for donkey rides ceased. The owners then let them loose in the park.  Continue reading “From Donkey to Cross”

Does it bother you? The crucifix, does it bother you? I don’t mean this crucifix. I mean the crucifix the holy evangelists set before us today. Does it bother you? Does it seem too gruesome, too depressing? Does it bother you? Continue reading “We’ve Killed God”

They were people on the move. The bags were packed, the kids were dressed, shoes were tied. This was the pilgrim’s meal as they set out for the Promised Land. No one travels on an empty stomach. And so, with their robes tied to keep them from tripping on the long road to God’s country, they ate. Continue reading “Maundy Thursday: We Are a People”

Luke 6:43-45

“No good tree bears bad fruit.” But you do. You bear bad fruit every day. The fact that you manage to also produce edible-looking fruit which the world around you ingests and lauds as ‘pleasing to the eye’ is beside the point. The world does not determine which trees are good or bad anymore than it decides who goes to heaven or hell. Here, as in all matters of the Divine, we must let the Word alone speak: “There is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3). Continue reading “Good Trees, Declared by God”

A Meditation on Acts 8:1-8

At least 120 people have died in Nigeria in the last month or so. Not because of famine or disease or government oppression. But because they professed faith in Christ Jesus or lived near people who did. This isn’t unique to Nigeria. In other regions of Africa and especially Asia, our brothers and sisters face severe danger every day. And I suppose this should not surprise us. Continue reading “Free because “It Is Finished””

Who is this King of Glory?  This is the King for you and me.

Lift up your heads, O you gates;
Be lifted up, you ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
Riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey?
Who is this King, whose praises the children sing,
whose great deeds his disciples acclaim?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle. Continue reading “Who Is This King of Glory?”