~ Luke 6:43-49 ~ Building metaphors abound in scripture. They are all intended to teach spiritual lessons. Paul often used building metaphors in his letters to describe the community of the church. Ephesians speaks of “the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus … Read More
~ Psalm 30/John 21:1-19 ~ The song the choir just sang (Come, Ye Sinners) is a southern Appalachian hymn from the 19th century. It’s a revival song—a bona fide camp-meeting invitation song to get sinners to walk the aisle and get saved. Now, revival songs might make you feel uncomfortable. … Read More
~ Luke 24:1-12/Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 ~ Happy Easter! As the psalmist says, “This is the day that God has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. But even as we declare that we are much aware that things happen in this world that are not so “rejoiceable.” Horrified, this … Read More
~ Luke 19:28-40/John 12:12-16 ~ As you well know Jesus told many parables in his ministry to the people. Now these spoken parables were made-up stories. There wasn’t an actual Good Samaritan. But Jesus didn’t just tell parables. He also acted parables. An acted parable was an event in which … Read More
~ John 12:1-11 ~ It’s after sunset on the evening of the Sabbath. The next morning on, the first day of the week, Jesus will enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey to the shouts of “Hosanna” and “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God,” which, of … Read More
~ Luke 15:11-32/Psalm 32 ~ Linda and I had the opportunity, recently, to visit the Legion of Honor in San Francisco’s Lincoln Park. Built to honor Californian soldiers who died in World War I, it houses a very impressive array of Auguste Rodin sculptures. One of them is The Prodigal … Read More