By Joel Krogen - I once had a phone interview with a congregation that revealed to me the length to which some people will go to avoid Scripture in the pursuit of being “relevant” to those around them (because, of course, the Word of God isn’t “relevant”—unbelievers around you are supposed to think you’re cool, … Continue reading When The Word Doesn’t Fit
By Hillary Asbury - Lately I have been reflecting on the unique challenges one faces when maintaining a creative career. It’s a little odd, building a business by manufacturing products based on one’s private thoughts and feelings. My thoughts are inspired by many things—by experiences and certainly by Scripture. Those thoughts coalesce into a vision, … Continue reading Identity in the Depths
By Joel A. Hess - We need more Josephs! You don’t hear much about Joseph. He just disappears after the birth of our Lord. He reappears for a moment when Jesus scares his parents by staying in His real Father’s house, but then he is gone again. We call him Saint Joseph, but what did … Continue reading Happy Father’s Day! It’s OK to be a Joseph
By Jeff Pulse - Our text is from the book of Job. The text is Job 38:1-11 and begins the section in Job frequently called Yahweh’s first speech. In truth, this is the moment that Job and even his friends have been waiting for. They have been hoping that the LORD will break His silence … Continue reading OT Encounters: Job 38:1-11 – Unanswered Questions
By Cindy Koch - Just when I thought everything was OK, someone comes along and says those unexpected words: “I forgive you.” Immediately, something turns in my stomach. The dread of exposure washes over me. Someone else has seen my dirty secret. Someone else has recognized that hidden path that I have been following. I … Continue reading Angry at the Gospel
By Paul Koch - I have noticed over the years that the people who seem to care the least about a day set aside to acknowledge fatherhood are, in fact, fathers. The men who are honored on this day don’t tend to think all that much about it. When someone asks a father what he … Continue reading The Unexpected Kingdom
By Bob Hiller - Remember that scene from the Luther movie that came 15 years ago where Martin Luther takes the boy who hanged himself and buries him in the church graveyard? Everyone was standing around in shock, and the gravedigger was telling him he couldn’t do it. After all, it was thought that suicide … Continue reading Is the Church Ready for Suicide?
