On this sabbath day in thousands of settings, faithful Christ-followers take their places of leadership to teach, praise, preach, and pray. They have studied, prepared, and centered themselves in the presence...

The psalmist expresses his deep gratitude to God using the metaphor of water. His imagery reminds me of a dear friend who loved to quip: “A day without rain is like...

Locusts, grasshoppers, fire, invaders, destruction, desolation, dust, death—these do not foretell the future but rather Judah’s current-day reality. Devastation and defeat overwhelm, and deportation to Babylon looms. Yet, following his descriptions...

The sports-mania of Western culture quickly brings to mind the image of the raised index finger. We want to be first, not second; winners, not losers; victors now, not next year....

In this parable of contrast, the Pharisee actually asks God to compare and contrast his life with that of the tax collector, hoping for a favorable result. But the resulting contrast...

Among Jesus’ teachings on prayer we find this parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector—perhaps a favorite because we all know that we are not Pharisees! Clearly, this Pharisee has...

On sunny days when the air is crisp and the colors spectacular, gratitude flows so easily. Awe, wonder, and thanksgiving easily slip out of our mouths. Even our posture signals our...

She doesn’t have a prayer. Some dismiss her as “simply” a widow. Without family to care for her in customary ways, she doesn’t seem to matter or to fit anywhere. She...

I sometimes forget stuff: names I know as well as my own, things I remembered an hour ago, where I put my keys or what I set on top of them! But...

Timothy is blessed by the many people and avenues that have nurtured his faith: the teachings of his mother and grandmother and his own reading and study of scripture. His soul...