Same Road. New Vista.

What’s that you say? You’ve just arrived from Cyprus and you are new to the area? And, you’ve heard some incredible things? You want me to tell you all that’s happened? Come in for some water and …some bread.

“Obedient even to death . . . yes, even the death of the cross”

“…I’m telling you the solemn truth: unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains all by itself. If it dies, though, it will produce lots of fruit… …Now my heart is troubled,” Jesus went on. “What am I going to say? ‘Father, save me from this moment’? No, it…

The Eyes Have It

At the cross. At the burial. At the empty tomb. Three wait-and-see days. Three women. The gospel according to Mark begins with the ushering in of “the good news of Jesus the Messiah, God’s son” (Mk. 1:1). Composed of short narratives that could be easily visualized by those who heard its reading, Mark’s terse and…

Palm Sunday and the Problem of Evil

Just a few centuries before the first Palm Sunday, Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-270 B.C.) promoted to his followers the notions of another ancient Greek philosopher, Demetrius (c. 460 – c. 370 B.C.). Demetrius’ had proposed the theory of Atomism to account for nature. The theory in brief: the universe is a material system governed…

Journeywomen and the Sons of Thunder

Post spoiler: The world hasn’t ended and the gates of hell have not prevailed against the church. In preparation for a move, I went online searching for an Anglican church in a different state. I came across an interesting web article: Beth Moore is not the first Baptist to journey to the Anglican Church –…

Astonished and Afraid and the Hand of God

There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!” Psalm 4: 6 The day came when Jesus arrived at a synagogue in Capernaum with a small group of swarthy fishermen. The leader of the synagogue asked the newcomer to speak to the gathered.…

The Greater Good Soil

If you have ever gardened, you know that soil conditions matter. Jesus, as recorded in the gospel of Mark chapter four, teaches a massive crowd as he stands on a boat just off shore. He speaks of the Sower and the seed. He uses the ordered functions of creation (cf. Genesis 1: 11-12; Ps. 104:14)…

Half Life

From the beginning, Peter had the determination of three boys his age. Out of earshot, some called him “stubborn” and “bull headed”. Others called him “a little terror”. And others, teachers mostly, said he needed medication just to be around. His parents, a minister and his wife, called their gift from God “Mr. Resolute”. When…