We usually think of Advent as a time preparing us for the birth of Jesus—for that coming of Jesus as a newborn babe some 2000 years ago. But traditionally within the church Advent has had a deeper and broader meaning than just Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. In fact, we could… Continue reading
(In this article I am dependent in part on Disciples’ theologian Clark M Williamson in his book Way of Blessing Way of Life: A Christian Theology. Williamson’s contributions can be found in quotes from his book in bold print. The remainder of the article contains my own ideas regarding the… Continue reading
Read the Scripture I have a confession to make. My favorite book of the Bible is the Gospel of Luke. No single part of Scripture speaks to me as does Luke’s Gospel. Now, that’s not my confession. My confession is that until several years ago, Acts was one of my… Continue reading
Are there times when you do not know how or what to pray? Times when the fear and uncertainty of your life knock the breath out of you so that words simply cannot come? Times when the complexity of existence leaves your head spinning and your stomach churning and you… Continue reading
(Based in part on Rob Bell’s Nooma DVD Series) Rob Bell begins an insightful analysis of God recounting a conversation he heard some years ago. Someone was telling about a dramatic moment in his life and summarized the event by saying with excitement and joy in his voice, “and then… Continue reading
In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s masterpiece The Brothers Karamazov, we find a remarkable statement: “In the realist, faith is not born from miracles, but miracles from faith.” I have been puzzled for years over the miracle stories of Jesus. He healed all kinds of people with all kinds of diseases. He calmed… Continue reading
