When reading the psalms, I tend to hurry through the harsh parts. I linger on the psalmist’s intimate expressions of faith and doubt but avoid the vitriol spoken against the psalmist’s...

Peter speaks these fiery words on Pentecost Day, but the theme of his address is pure Easter. The message Peter and his fellow apostles have for the Israelites (and, in good...

Mary Magdalene had a passion for Jesus’ ministry. It all started when Jesus cast seven demons out of her (see Luke 8:2). But it did not stop there. The Gospels of...

What Joseph of Arimathea did was a prelude to Jesus’ resurrection. He acted contrary to the customs of his day that said that the bodies of crucified persons were to be...

As a pastor for more than sixty years, I have been present with a large number of congregants who have experienced the death of a loved one. It was not uncommon...

What would we do if we knew that it was our time to depart this world? Have a party? Take a trip with our family? Do one last good deed? I...

The writer of Hebrews used some strong words to describe how we are to follow Christ. He wrote that we are to run with perseverance the race that is set before...

Several years ago, I was a student in a Master Gardener class. It was most helpful because there was so much that I needed to learn. In particular, the instructor stressed...

I do not enjoy the scripture readings about Judas. I think it is because I see myself as being somewhat like Judas. In today’s reading, the Gospel of John does not...

The journey from Palm Sunday to Easter is filled with shocking twists. Jesus’ triumphant ride into Jerusalem quickly sours, and the shouts of “Hosanna” turn into cries of “Crucify him!” So...