While we are called to work for justice for others and to hold out the way of righteousness, repentance, and grace, it is not our assignment to exercise judgment - even within our own minds and hearts. Continue reading

I am captured by the words, "on that very day." After 430 years in Egypt, a new day arrives. What is "that very day" for you today? I know that you probably don't know and I don't know, but there is marker and it may be for you to discover today ... if not with immediate clarity, then in reflection and retrospect. "The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years. 41 At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42... Continue reading

The early church struggled with shaking the bonds and extending the boundaries created by nationalism, cultural-ism, racism, and religious chauvinism. In extending its own reach and embrace, there needed to be an accumulation of defining moments, lived-out stories, and expanding relationships infused by manifestations of the Holy Spirit at work among people groups that were outside the original disciples' comfort zones. The patience and systematic workings of God exceed mine by far, but this is how the church became an international movement, indigenous in every culture where it was planted. We are still working on this, but there was a... Continue reading

He is ready to make some pretty special music with His friends. Continue reading

So, you want to be a tyrant?There is a pretty demanding job description.It is laid out clearly in Psalm 52. Continue reading

Jesus, hope of dying men,Mover of the heart and pen,Move my heart to pen some phase,That may return to Thee as praise.Amen. Continue reading

Trip me up, Dear God.Use every tool at your disposal to direct my path. Lord, put those obstacles in my path today that cause me to trip over that which must not be ignored or avoided. Continue reading

At the time when offerings are poured out, the psalmist pours out his soul. When the grain came to the temple as an offering, a tenth of it was burned on the altar as a memorial offering. The rest was consumed by the priests. This was a song to be sung for the memorial offering. I am confused, I must say, not by the offering and not by the sentiments of the psalm, but by the point of connection. Of these words and emotions, Matthew Henry comments, "Nothing will disquiet the heart of a good man so much as the... Continue reading

He is present in every place and every people where salvation is the deepest longing and Alleluia is the deepest aspiration! Continue reading

Job's God was not running for office ... He was God and that was that. Yet, questions lingered in the silence. Continue reading

In one of His last earthly human deeds, Jesus presided over an adoption, Continue reading

One exalted himself and was humbled. Jesus humbled Himself and was exalted.And both wore purple. Continue reading

The psalmist either had a short sighted view of God, an over-inflated sense of his own righteousness (and that f his people), a limited perspective, all of the above, some of the above mixed together, or an insight into how things are in the real world -- that both the righteous and the unrighteous suffer. Some suffering comes inevitably as a natural consequence of making poor choices. Some suffering comes because we make right choices. MLK called that redemptive. Some suffering comes because we all breath common air or because other people make poor choices in a world where we... Continue reading

Nothing clouds the memory. Nothing can eradicate the meaning. The supper is a living and perpetual witness to the past, testimony to the Presence in the present, and beacon of hope for the future. Continue reading

Hope looms like a nagging word of encouragement, a persistent promise of purpose. Hope looms until it takes center stage.. Continue reading

Jesus was no faint-hearted lover. He was not subject to likes, dislikes, and mood swings. Continue reading

“Now is the Son of man glorified and God is glorified in Him.” – from John 13:31 You have to take it all as a package or there is no glory. Jesus understood that these final days were one great redemptive event – from mingling with the crowds and teaching them, to provoking the Sanhedrin with His very presence, to the upper room, the washing of feet, the prayers in the garden, and on to the cross. It was the process of God glorifying Himself in His Son. It was all part of the package: His life, death, and resurrection... Continue reading

We keep running and focusing ... laying aside all of the distractions and pressing on.There is a prize and the One who holds the prize is anxious to see us at the finished line. Continue reading

Father, in the light of all that has happened and is happening, I am at loss. I want to say that I am shocked, dismayed, disgusted, indignant, sorrowful, grieving, broken, and horrified. What bothers me most is that I am not ... not the way I think is appropriate, not enough to keep me from going about my business or considering my own trivial concerns. Oh, I am all those things, but not to the degree that I was at the first words of so many other tragedies, travesties, and unspeakable events. Why not? Lord, do not let me lose... Continue reading

Your Son, Jesus said I should not be afraid to come to You.He said that He was my brother and You are my Dad.So, here I am because I see You in Him and I trust Him and I trust You.Teach me to trust You and love You more. Continue reading

“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” – Psalm 36:9 One of the first lighthouses ever built, certainly one of the most famous, was the Lighthouse of Alexandria in 280 BC. Situated on the Egyptian island of Pharos, it was at one time thought to be the tallest structure on earth at 383 - 440 feet. Many lives were rescued because of its existence. Its purpose was the same as that of all lighthouses: to warn ships away from dangerous shores and guide them in the night. No ship’s captain ever complained... Continue reading

“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” – Psalm 36:9 One of the first lighthouses ever built, certainly one of the most famous, was the Lighthouse of Alexandria in 280 BC. Situated on the Egyptian island of Pharos, it was at one time thought to be the tallest structure on earth at 383 - 440 feet. Many lives were rescued because of its existence. Its purpose was the same as that of all lighthouses: to warn ships away from dangerous shores and guide them in the night. No ship’s captain ever complained... Continue reading

“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” – Psalm 36:9 One of the first lighthouses ever built, certainly one of the most famous, was the Lighthouse of Alexandria in 280 BC. Situated on the Egyptian island of Pharos, it was at one time thought to be the tallest structure on earth at 383 - 440 feet. Many lives were rescued because of its existence. Its purpose was the same as that of all lighthouses: to warn ships away from dangerous shores and guide them in the night. No ship’s captain ever complained... Continue reading