Last week, a handful of friends gathered at my family’s house for dinner. Take-out pizzas, compostable paper plates, and red plastic cups filled our table. Three hours later, most of the...

Christmas carols remain the song of choice in my family all year. Earlier this morning, my five-year-old sat on the floor of the living room, singing his own version of “Repeat,...

The print that hangs in a corner of our dining room reads: “When you have more than you need, build a bigger table, not a higher fence.” My family tries to...

The woman has suffered from bodily and social pain for eighteen years. She has been victimized and abused as a sinner by the religious leaders. She has been exiled, rejected, despised,...

Many years ago I met a woman whose real name I did not know; I knew her by her nickname, Cat. Cat shuffled into the dorm where I worked the night...

The writer of Hebrews reminds his contemporaries about their Israelite ancestors: “Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of...

The writer of Hebrews encourages the first-century followers of Jesus to persevere in their faith in the long-awaited Messiah. The writer reminds them what it was like to live under the...

Jesus’ enemies often threaten to arrest and kill him. He admonishes his disciples, “Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find...

My friend Sergio was born with a severe hearing impairment and a defective heart. When he was a six years old, his parents brought him to Florida from Mexico. They entered...

Baby brother came home from the hospital with his proud parents to meet his sister. The four-year-old asked her mom and dad if she could be with her brother alone. Anxiously,...