“The Lord, the God of Israel” has worked redemptively for centuries on behalf of this particular people. Joshua has led the people across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. Near...

You might want to skip this week’s readings. They won’t be easy—way too much truth-telling for my comfort. But if you’ve had a feeling that lately your idea of God has...

In this passage, commonly known as the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us what it means to be blessed. He does not mention winning the lottery, being elected to high office, or buying...

Bishop Colin Winter was a dear friend whom I met when I was teaching at a seminary in London. Colin had been the Anglican Bishop of South West Africa, now Namibia,...

Jesus uses strong words to caution his disciples about some of the religious leaders among them. The scribes and Pharisees teach and interpret the law of Moses, just as Jesus does....

After a very difficult time preaching the gospel in Philippi, Paul, accompanied by Silvanus and Timothy, moves on to Thessalonica. Here too are challenges. Paul then moves on to another city...

The opening verse of Psalm 107 is repeated as a refrain many times in the text: “O give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his steadfast love endures...

The Psalms offer us a model for honest prayer that addresses every part of our lives. Whether we are rejoicing in God’s goodness or struggling through fear and brokenness, these ancient...

Every morning I am reminded of the great turning point in Hebrew history when Moses led the people across the Red Sea. My coffee cup depicts the event. The people stand...

Despite years of listening to sermons, reading spiritual texts, learning prayer practices, and attending retreats, I still manage now and then to mire myself in anxiety, confusion, guilt, shame, and restlessness....