“Contouring”
We must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ… (Ephesians 4:15). I have just returned from an over-the-road trip to the middle of America. In Carroll, Iowa, I participated in the commissioning of a … (read more)
Together in Prayer
Articles published in the monthly Together in Prayer newsletter.
Southbound to Calcutta
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us…” (2 Corinthians 5:20). I am writing today aboard the southbound “AC Deluxe” out of Rampurhat, headed toward Calcutta. I have been visiting our friends and colleagues … (read more)
Skrefsrud
“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)
“Inscribed Matter”
“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)
Lkishili
“…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)
Cat’s Eyes
“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)
He Holds the Baton
“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)
Commoners
“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)
Actual Size
“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.
The Face of Jesus
“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)