This week’s lectionary reflection focuses on Exodus 20:1-17 and Psalm 19, outlining God’s laws and our relationship with them. It discusses different approaches to rules, emphasizing the importance of understanding and following them. Pastor Mike uses the metaphor of car maintenance to illustrate the benefits of adhering to God’s rules and the support they provide during life’s challenges. … More Rules and that New Car Smell
The most important interpretive decision I ever made was to let Jesus be God’s definitive and final Word. He is my north star. He is my hermeneutic. Echoing C. S. Lewis, Jesus guides my reading of Scripture not only because I see Jesus in the text, but because by Jesus I have come to see everything else in a new light. … More Gold, Honey & Jesus
My new short story tells the story of Paul’s shipwreck in Acts 27, imagining Paul, a lone Jew on a ship of superstitious pagans, each telling stories from their sacred texts. As the storm outside grows more perilous, and the shipmates begin to panic, Paul remains calm and brings spiritual leadership to these doomed “souls in chains.” … More New Book Debut this Sunday
The Gospel reading for this week gets to the heart of everything. This is it. Choose the scandalous Way of the Cross and be a disciple of Jesus, or keep stamping Jesus’ name on the Ways of the World and be Satan’s sucker. There’s no neutral ground beneath the cross: you’re either mocking or marveling. … More Mocking or Marveling at the Cross?
While we may be foolhardy and fumble footed in our efforts to bear fruit, God wants to step into our weed-infested lives and dilapidated dreams to grow something in us! And if God can make a wrinkly 99 year old on viagra exceedingly fruitful, then imagine what kind of a beautiful garden he can make out of your life? … More Exceedingly Fruitful
This exposition of 1 Peter 3:18-22 emphasizes a spiritual battle between good and evil forces, urging Christians to be aware of this cosmic struggle. It highlights the role of Jesus in overcoming evil and calls for believers to resist being manipulated by worldly powers. The text also stresses the importance of having a clear conscience before God, rather than pursuing selfish desires or political victories. … More An Appeal for a Clear Conscience
Our tour bus pulled into the parking lot and joined other groups from around the world. Were we souls on pilgrimage or shoppers on holiday? We were at the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized and we could be too – if we could find our way through the gift shops, concession stands, and observation decks to the river below. … More Tour Buses in the Jordan Wilderness
It’s the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl, you’re down by 5 with 20 seconds on the clock. Quarterback gathers the team into a huddle to draw up one last play to try to score the game winning touchdown. That’s one fateful huddle to be part of! But I can think of an ever better huddle to eaves drop on. … More A Super Bowl Huddle for the Ages
Imagine returning home from a night out when traffic suddenly halts. Your eyes are drawn upward to a magic door descending from the heavens, suspended over the city. The mayor and fire department scratch their heads as crowds slowly gather. Soon the entire city is gathered around that mysterious door. It’s cracked a bit, and strange light is piercing the cool evening air. … More Magic Doors & Open Houses
In this week’s lectionary text, 1 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul emphasizes his holy obligation and divine calling to proclaim the gospel, representing a countercultural surrender to a higher purpose. I share some of my own experience and challenges of my call to full-time ministry, and conclude by highlighting the current crisis of clergy burnout and offering a call to love and support those who have surrendered their life to full time Christian service. … More The Company of the Summoned
Jesus’ powerful and authoritative encounter with a man possessed by an unclean spirit highlights the contrast between genuine spiritual engagement and complacency. This week’s Gospel text challenges Christians to question their commitment to Jesus and be open to his disruptive influence, aiming to stir them from spiritual apathy to vibrant faith. … More An Unclean Spirit and the Un-Spirited Clean
My son Peter asked, “Dad, who are the good guys and bad guys? Are we supposed to cheer for the apes or the humans?” A profound question that gets to the heart of the film itself. I told Peter, “I’m not sure if it’s that simple, buddy; let’s keep watching.” … More Planet of the Apes
Kingdom Harbor 