What Is “Born Again?”
For Sunday, March 16, 2014 – John 3:1-17 Haven’t you wondered how the idea of being “born again” became a litmus test to label people as “inside” or “outside” of God’s grace? I see no evidence that Jesus would have intended it. The Pharisees and other good religious people know all about litmus tests. They know how to keep […]
Calling a Halt
For Sunday, March 9, 2014 – Matthew 4:1-11 The 12-step movement suggests an acronym, HALT, to remind us to pay attention when we become Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. Unheeded, these natural human conditions can make us vulnerable to temptation. As ridiculous as it sounds, many of us try not to notice our needs. To admit that I get hungry, angry, lonely, […]
The Thirst for Encounter
For Sunday, March 23 2014 – John 4:5-42 She knows the rules. A Jewish man should not share the water jug of a Samaritan woman. He should not even speak to her. Can’t we all, please, just follow the rules? There are rules for acceptable behavior and language, for education and career; proper religious, social and political paths; types of persons to date, marry or befriend […]
Seeing More Than We See
For Sunday, March 2, 2014 – Matthew 17:1-9 We see more than we realize we are seeing. Even as we bumble along, cracking our head on our low ceilings of spiritual understanding, we are in the midst of the More. You could call it the Peter-James-and-John syndrome, these bright moments when we “get” more than we understand. Unable to be expressed, most likely, but there it […]
