five minute friday

A few weeks ago, my 38 year old neighbor died unexpectedly. I didn’t know him well, but we have literally crossed paths. However, even in those seemingly insignificant encounters, his life impacted mine. While I didn’t know much about the intimate parts of his story, I was privy to some public ones. From my back […]

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and […]

“Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21 And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is […]

Unexpected circumstances can lead to a holy pause. We easily become creatures of habit. Our days operate according to a somewhat regular liturgy. And when seasons transition, we adjust to a new one. Typically, what they all have in common is aiming toward some measure of progress. It manifests in different ways. For some, progress […]

My attempt at communication failed. As I stood in line, I made a simple but profound gesture to the woman in line next to me. But then it hit me. My smile was invisible. Something that can so simply signify kindness in a polarized culture, can no longer “talk.” Smiles convey humanity. They say “I […]