“And we want each one of you to show the same diligence…imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:11,12). I have today visited the grave of Lars Olsen Skrefsrud, in Benagaria, India, away in Santal … (read more)
“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me” (Matthew 10:40). There is something utterly extravagant about the Incarnation. The God of Heaven has a Word to share with humankind. All right; why … (read more)
“…that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). A few days ago I returned from a visit to the Samburu district of northern Kenya. It was … (read more)
“Let anyone with ears listen” (Matthew 13:9). I was recently reminded of (yet another) colorful Luther-ism. “Stick your eyes into your ears,” Luther said famously. “He who will not take hold with his ears but wants to look with his … (read more)
“I know whom I have believed…” (2 Timothy 1:12). The world, it would seem, is falling apart. In the course of the summer, we have witnessed shutdowns and roadblocks in Bolivia, bombings and blockades in Nepal, marches in Nairobi, “hartals” … (read more)
“This ‘insider world’ is not our home….Let’s take our place outside with Jesus” (Hebrews 13:13,14, Peterson). I have recently stumbled upon a provocative quotation from Howard Hewlett Clark (1903-1983), Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada until his retirement in … (read more)
“Don’t think too highly of yourselves, but take a sane view…” (Romans 12:3, Beck)
A few years ago, while visiting the Science Museum of Minnesota, I was introduced to a powerful pictorial representation of the universe – from the minute domain of subatomic particles to the in-com-prehensible scale of interstellar space. The display is called “Powers of Ten.”
At a scale of 1:1023 meters (i.e., one meter to ten to the twenty-third power meters), our entire galaxy is but a speck.
“He set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). In July, the Common Lectionary brings us again to the “Lord of the harvest” passage – this time from Luke. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore … (read more)
And the Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14). This month I am writing from the wide plains of Montana, west-bound aboard the Empire Builder. The Empire Builder, as you may know, is the train that travels from … (read more)
“[Jesus said],’You can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she has…done is going to be remembered” (Matthew 14:9). Recently I received a call from a reporter at The London Times. She explained that … (read more)