“Not all prodigal stories end happily ever after.” If you’ve been to Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, or church camp, you’ve probably heard the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). He grew up in a good home where everything was provided, but after he got to a certain age, he wanted out. Let’s take…
The Latin term, ordo amoris, was a familiar term in the theology of the early church. In English, it means “order of love.” This term is attributed to North African theologian Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.). Saint Augustine explained it this way: “All people should be loved equally, but you cannot do good to all…
Years ago, a “Dear Abby” the Arizona Daily Sun column ran a story by a retired schoolteacher. DEAR ABBY: I have been retired from teaching for many years, and would like to share a lesson I learned that stands out in my memory like no other.I was young and teaching math at the junior high…
“I’m going to set the old grill out by the curb,” I told Lynne. “I’ll bet it will be gone by morning,” she replied. There were several pickup trucks that always cruised the neighborhood the night before trash pickup, looking for any items that might have some resale value. Sure enough, when I returned from…
Bzzzzzz, Bzzzzzz, Bzzzzzz! That was it. About 3-4 buzzes and my hair was gone. They had little to work with though. In 1965, the hair fashions were shorter, so my twin brother Roger and I had little to lose with our “crewcut” hairstyles. Most people getting their heads shaved have little to lose – maybe…
“Not another one,” I muttered under my breath. Lynne asked. “A pop-up ad for a-soon-to-be-released horror movie sequel coming out hit my Facebook feed.” The first “I Know What You Did Last Summer” movie hit the screens in 1997. A year after running over a fisherman and dumping his body in the water, one of…
There was once a promising young Greek politician named Epaminondas whose rise threatened some more established leaders (his full story in Right Thing, Right Now). To blunt his potential, they ‘promoted’ him to a job overseeing the city’s sewers and water. It was supposed to be a humiliation – or, at the very least, a…
God has called us to make disciples, not mere believers (Matthew 28:19). If the Church is to be the non-judgmental, unconditionally loving, corporate body of Christ it is called to be, how are people motivated and empowered increasingly to grow out of their sin and become more Christ-like? The arduous commitment it takes to grow…
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7, ESV) This is often presented as using God’s name when cursing. However, it is much more expansive than that. In fact, the primary sin in this commandment would be to…
I couldn’t help but chuckle when I saw the following meme on Facebook. It’s that time of year again when we mortals, often foolishly, commit ourselves to a self-promise to be better or do better in some area in the coming year. The ever-helpful Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines the word “resolution” as “the act or…
