Jesus said to Peter, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me (John 13:8). Jill Biden disguised herself as a stewardess on a flight returning to Washington D.C, and then served the members of the media and her staff. No one recognized the First Lady until she removed her wig and with a huge grin announced, “April Fools!” ...
By mid November, several people had told me they had already decorated for Christmas. When I expressed surprise, one person said, “Christmas just makes me happy.” Can we blame people for wanting “happy” to come early? And we’d like everything that Christmas symbolizes to stay around too! I recently heard a new song, “Christmas Every Day,” that David Archuleta released...
Fall in eastern Germany meant fog blanketing rolling fields; savoring freshly dug potatoes roasted over a fire; and riding the horse-drawn wagon, decorated with festive tree, to bring in the last crop of wheat to the barn. On Thanksgiving Sunday, farmers brought yellow and red apples, pears, bright orange pumpkins, cabbages, onions, nuts, and bundled stalks of grain to decorate...
Listen: You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. NRSV (Psalm 119:114) Reflect: As a little girl, my secret hideout lay down an embankment next to the rural road where I lived. At the bottom, pussy willow trees hid me well as I sat next to a small stream that meandered through marshy vegetation. It...
Why did Simon the Pharisee invite Jesus to his home? Perhaps he saw this charismatic Rabbi more as a night of entertainment than someone he cared about personally. He seems unusually negligent in following basic etiquette to host an honored guest. What does this say about him? That he was ambivalent about Jesus, or cavalier? (Quickly read Luke 7:36-56 at...
They bring the woman caught in adultery to Jesus brandishing the scarlet letter as if triumphant about their discovery. Her shame is now exposed in front of everyone. She stands with her head lowered, eyes averted, and shoulders slumped. Defenseless against smirks, pointing fingers, and condemning words. What recourse does she have? They are telling the awful truth. And this...
Listen: Philippians 4:5: Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. (NRSV) Reflect: I’ll never forget the expert nurse who attended me when I was in labor with my youngest son. I marveled at her ability to anticipate my physical needs and the gentle way she handled me. Her attuned, peaceful presence helped me relax and eased...
Listen: Colossians 3:13 (NIV): Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Reflect: Forgive as God forgives? Willingly, repeatedly, completely? This can feel impossible. Perhaps what amazes me most is that the Lord forgives joyfully. Hebrews 12:2 says, “for the joy set before him he...
I admire artists for their observational abilities. They notice things the less visually talented tend to miss. Do you ever wonder what it is that you might not be seeing as you walk through life? Luke 2:25-28 tells about a man with exceptional spiritual vision. The story goes like this: Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who...
Listen:I Peter 3:15, NIV: In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect. Reflect:The other day I attended a Zoom wedding. It was gratifying to see my friend get married again after a...
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