For many American Christians, living one’s faith is more a matter of appreciating the benefits of being a member of a congregation than it is an enterprise that makes spiritual and...

On long hiking trails, such as the Appalachian Trail, one finds people who go out of their way to help the hikers, offering food and drink at a trail head, a...

Human beings have strong impulses to maintain pleasure and avoid pain. Peter is a human being. As a part of the electrifying, life-changing public ministry of Jesus, Peter has been on...

Emily Dickinson wrote, “Exultation is the going / Of an inland soul to sea— / Past the houses—past the headlands— / Into deep eternity! / Bred as we, among the mountains,...

Paul’s opening words, “Even if the gospel is veiled,” suggest that Paul is defending against some attack. It sounds as though he’s answering a charge that the good news is obscured...

It feels good to focus on the glory of God and the beauty of God’s creation. The God of unconditional love is popular. But what of God the judge? Life can...

As the psalm opens, the psalmist declares praise for the God of Israel. “Praise” may call to mind light and upbeat music, pure happiness and joy. But to offer praise, particularly...

The need to be seen is a basic human need. The desire to be recognized and known is intended to be met in the community of the church. We are greeted...

The story of Elijah the prophet and Elisha his successor is one of mentorship. Elijah’s earthly life is ending. He has prepared Elisha to receive his mantle. Having a mentor is...

As I read about Jesus departing into a deserted place, I wonder if there is any relationship between it and the deserted places mentioned in other passages in the scripture. In...