Here we are, right in the middle of Holy Week, when we recall the events of the last week of Jesus’ life on earth. The week that started with Jesus, welcomed as the hero by the crowd, the one who would begin the insurrection, get rid of the Romans, and make everything right again. The week that ends with Jesus hanging on a cross, dying a criminal’s death, abandoned by the crowd and even by almost all…
Today’s Gospel passage is one of my all-time favorite lessons to teach with kids - of all ages. It has such a terrific “yuck” factor that it simply captures their attention – and really invites them into the story. It’s the story, as recorded in John, of Jesus healing a man who has been blind since birth. Sounds pretty normal for a Bible story miracle, right? Except for the way that Jesus does it: he re…
One of the joys in being a part of Westminster Church is that we get to celebrate the arrival of new babies along with their families. It’s always an interesting time, as new moms and dads begin to figure out caring for a newborn, and sorting out all the changes that come with adding a new member of the family. Generally, that’s all going on in the midst of lots of comings and goings (not to men…
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” These first words of Psalm 27 reminded me of an experience I used to have now and again when my kids were small. See if this sounds at all familiar to you… We would find ourselves, on occasion, in situations that one or more of the kids found a little unsettling. Perhaps waiti…
Has anyone else noticed our tendency to look at God almost as if he’s two people, or suffers from multiple personality disorder? The “Old Testament God” is angry, judging, passing out laws and punishing those who don’t follow them. But the “New Testament God” is different God, all full of love and care and forgiveness. What’s up with this Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde view of God? Is it possible that the “New Testamen…
