There was a movie a few years ago, Don’t Look Up, which spoofed the human tendency to ignore some problem or issue that we don’t want to face. You’ve no doubt heard the expression “denial is more than a river in Egypt.” The story of the Ascension of Jesus illustrates the flip side of that… Read More »

An ecumenical meeting several years ago developed a motto: “Doctrine  divides, service unites.” While there is a certain truth to that — caring for those who are in need transcends any denominational difference — the motto hides a basic truth: that what we believe matters. The church knew this from the beginning. Apollos was preaching… Read More »

On a day such as a 50th ordination anniversary there is tendency to seek the scripture passages or the songs which seem most apt for the occasion. I remember one memorable jubilee, for example, when the cantor invited he congregation by saying “Let us greet the jubilarians by singing How Great Thou Art.” Another approach… Read More »

The election of Matthias to replace Judas illustrates that the nice linear story of the ministry of Jesus does not reflect the fact that things were a bit messy. Peter said, “It is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from… Read More »

Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said: “You Athenians, I see that in every respect you are very religious. Athens was the educational and cultural heart of the ancient world. On the Areopagus you can look up and see the Acropolis which housed the most beautiful buildings in the world. Looking down  you… Read More »

In Acts 12 Peter is in prison, secured by chains between two guards. An angel comes and releases him and he simply walks away. King Herod is so upset at his escape he orders the guards executed. In Acts 16 Paul and Silas are imprisoned. They were in the innermost cell and their feet were… Read More »

Paul’s first mission in Europe was at Phillipi, a retirement community for Roman soldiers. However, his focus quickly shifted off of the soldiers.  We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia listened. Lydia became the leader of the first Christian community in Greece. Paul, it… Read More »

St. Peter in the epistle says “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” Yeah, how do we have hope in a world where wars keep breaking out, gas cost $5 a gallon, political divisions are toxic, the rich keep getting richer and poor poorer,… Read More »

They had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. My bet is that St. Paul was frustrated by his plans being thwarted. It was only in… Read More »