Finding Spiritual Nourishment

There is a corner in my front garden that fills me with so much joy and anticipation each Spring.  The melting snow and spring rains provide just the right amount of moisture for a Fernleaf Peony to be the star of the garden.  The blooms are plentiful and beautiful. ...

The Communion of Saints

This Sunday, we will be celebrating All Saints Sunday. Martin Luther was fond of saying that Christians are simultaneously saints and sinners, which means they are both righteous and sinful at the same time. I think I experienced a glimpse of both feelings once when I...

The Freedom of Knowing the Difference

More than twenty years ago, our family brought home our very first dog—a little golden-retriever-looking puppy we named Maddie. Maddie loved to chase tennis balls. The only problem? When she had one in her mouth, she always wanted the other one lying on the floor....

The Final Command

When Russian comedian, Yakov Smirnoff first moved to America, he was amazed at the variety of instant products he could buy in the store.  There’s powdered milk: just add water and you have milk.  There’s powdered orange juice: just add water and you have orange...

How Should We View the Bible?

Many years ago, there was a television show called To Tell the Truth.Three contestants each claimed to be a remarkable person who had done something extraordinary. Only one was genuine; the other two were imposters. A panel of celebrities asked questions and tried to...

God’s Movement in the World

Once when Albert Einstein was riding a train the conductor stopped to punch his ticket. The great scientist began rummaging through his pockets, checking his briefcase and looking all around him somewhat bewildered. He could not find his ticket.  “That’s okay,” the...