One of the great memories of my childhood is sitting on the front porch of my grandparents’ house. My grandmother’s stories of her life and encounters with her neighbors amazed me....

A recent study notes that those in American culture work more than ever, taking no vacations. Many workers do not even receive paid sick leave. We work very hard, trying to...

In my church office I have a large whiteboard where I record calendar items, scripture passages, facility needs, and anything else that requires my attention. Often I tell those who enter...

There seems to be an abundance of fruitfulness talk in the church today, although many feel uncomfortable with it. It seems too businesslike (we can easily substitute fruitfulness for profits) and...

Recently my five-year-old son came home with a note from the teacher. Apparently he had consistently disobeyed the rules, and he had received a red mark related to his behavior for...

My spouse and I look around at a house filled with boxes. It has been a busy time, and soon we recognize that to settle into a rhythm in this new...

At times we have trouble discerning a course of action. We get caught up in our daily living and focus on what is best for us. At other times we purposely...

Our readings this week have taken us through the disciple’s journey, a journey that begins with conversion, proceeds through deepening discipleship, and culminates in ministry to the world. We began with...

The seventy disciples must have felt terrified. Without warning, it seems, Jesus sends them into the world to minister. In some ways, it is what they have desired. Surely some of...

Have you ever noticed that every superhero movie or TV show includes a moment when the villain nearly defeats the hero? It usually turns out that the villain has been playing...