3 1/2 years earlier

October 20, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

When Jesus made His famous Triumphal Entry into the city of Jerusalem at the beginning of His Passion Week, the people shouted a peculiar phrase. They said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matthew 21:11). The phrase was peculiar because 3 ½ years earlier, people mocked Jesus’ humble, Nazarene roots, and yet […]

Which first day is harder for parents: kindergarten or a senior year of high school?

August 20, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

“The days are long the years are brief.” That’s how someone described the parental passage of time to me once, and it is probably true. Time usually doesn’t feel like it is flying by while it is happening, but when we look back it is easy to gasp and wonder, “How did my little kindergartener […]

Strength to Love–Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

January 20, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! As we pause this week to ponder Dr. King’s contribution to the cause of justice and equality in our nation and world, I want to suggest a resource that I think you will love. Dr. King’s book, Strength to Love, is one of the best books I have read […]

A ‘storied’ people

November 21, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” (Psalm 107:2) In your readings through the Old and New Testaments, do you ever marvel at the constant, even redundant, telling of Israel’s story? Doesn’t it seem like the biblical writers are always rehearsing Israel’s formation, bondage, rescue, decline, and promised renewal? It is sort of […]

Not trapped in yesterday

January 4, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

You would never know it is winter in Los Angeles. The leaves have barely changed colors, the temperature is in the 80s, and everyone around me is still in yoga pants or shorts. And yet it’s officially winter—the calendar told me so. Sometimes the seasons of our lives are like that too. The season has […]