You might say it had been a “bad hair” fortnight. Two weeks on the open sea with 274 Roman sailors, their ship driven helplessly by a Northeaster, neither sun nor stars appearing for many days. Everyone gave up hope except for Paul. God sent an angel to remind him that he would stand before Caesar, … Read more
A study in chaos. She catches me by surprise in Macdonald’s as I wait for my ice cream on this hot July day. Wild unruly brown curls. Faded orange shirt, stained and rumpled. Arms and legs frantically jerking, moving in patternless disarray. Eyes roaming out of control, looking for some point of reference in her … Read more
Driving by our Blue Seal store today, I noticed a sign announcing “Starting July 4 closed Sundays.” I wanted to run inside and thank them. What if every store in town did the same thing? “Wendy’s closed on Sundays – come back for chili on Monday.” ” Benson’s closed on Sundays – that washer repair … Read more
It’s Saturday morning and I’ve just remembered all the items I failed to pick up for Easter dinner. Not wanting to deal with crowds, I crawl out of bed after my morning coffee with my husband and head out to Hannaford. Oh, good. The parking lot is almost empty and only a few shoppers are … Read more
Yes, you heard me right. Daffodils, not lilies. This is April in New Hampshire, and lilies are yet to come. Did anyone else notice their bright yellow heads dancing valiantly in the snowy wind just last week?Jesus talked about lilies, not daffodils, in the gospel of Luke. But perhaps there is a commonality between the … Read more
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow … Read more
Certain well known theologians are gaining popularity by preaching a skewed view of the Cross of Christ. Don’t fall for it. The Cross is not just a metaphor for human suffering. It is a space/time event. It is a visceral, literal blood and guts tearing, ripping open of the flesh and blood body of Jesus, … Read more
“When I survey the wondrous CrossOn which the Prince of Glory diedMy richest gain I count but lossAnd pour contempt on all my pride.”Thank you, Isaac Watts, for these words that reach across 300 years of time to reach us as we struggle to grasp the enormity of the sacrifice of Christ. Think of it. … Read more
The crowds pressed in upon Him. The little donkey, never before ridden, plodded obediently along in submission to the King of Kings.Jesus’ heart swelled with grief as every “Hosanna” brought Him one step nearer to the Cross. In days, he knew, the crowds would betray Him to the Evil One. The full wrath of His … Read more
Joseph of Arimathea summoned up the courage to seek an audience with Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus. He behaved prudently, so that his request would be granted. He didn’t use arrogant language that would only have enfuriated Pilate, who would then have denied his petition. Joseph didn’t say to him: “Give me … Read more