On an Easter kept through a pandemic, I am reminded... Easter does not mean that Christians do not weep, that we do not hang our heads in sorrow when a grandfather says goodbye too soon, when the cancer returns in the young dad, when the smoke smothers a man in his bed, when the strength of the boy is spent, when breath grows short, when legs curl up under covers. We do … [Read more...] about Resurrection and Sorrow: A Tender Easter
Articles
The Meaning of Good Friday
On Good Friday we remember the death of Jesus. But why all the hoopla? Lots of people die. Lots of people died on crosses. Why does the death of Jesus stand out? Let's ask Jesus about Good Friday. Jesus clearly understood the immanence, nature, and significance of his future death. Early in his ministry Jesus begins to point to his death and its meaning. Comparing … [Read more...] about The Meaning of Good Friday
On Keeping Calm
Keep calm and carry on. I like this old slogan. I am making it my own. I have found it helpful, and I think it expresses some biblical sentiments. It’s helpful because so often the only option we have is to, well...um, keep calm and carry on. It says when you don’t know what to do, don’t panic. Keep going. Try not to fret over what is. By God's grace, life has a … [Read more...] about On Keeping Calm
Our Sheild
You may not realize it, but you use a shield nearly every day. We all do. It’s called a windshield. 😊 I know a windshield may not carry the same panache of a warrior’s shield, but it serves a similar function. A windshield protects us. It protects us by bearing the elements of the road. Sure, it really does shield us from wind and the occasional rain and maybe snow. … [Read more...] about Our Sheild
This Glorious Thought
If you know the old hymn "It is Well," you likely know the story behind it. Horatio Spafford, its author, lost his four daughters at sea in a shipwreck. Only his wife survived. On his way to retrieve his wife, as he crossed the same Atlantic waters where his daughters perished, he penned the song. Its lyrics are hauntingly beautiful: When peace like a river … [Read more...] about This Glorious Thought