The first rock flew and made a hard thud in the sand. Dozens of light brown granules wisped a half circle. The sinner, an older man with a long gray beard walked away. Shortly after there was another hard thud. A second rock landed on the ground. A middle-aged man clenched his fists unsatisfied and pushed … Continue reading Absolution Over Condemnation
Lent 2013
Prodigal Son. Loving Father.
"Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me." He put out his hand. So the father, who never denied his sons their free will, divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country... ( Luke 15: 12-13) It … Continue reading Prodigal Son. Loving Father.
It May Bear Fruit…
The owner and the gardener approached the fig tree. It was barren. It stood out from the others that were lush with fruit and green leaves. Their trunks flush brown and soil moist. They appeared to beg permission to produce more fruit. The owner of the vineyard shook his head in disgust, "For three years now I have come … Continue reading It May Bear Fruit…
Prayer transfigures.
"Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray"(Luke 9:28). He looked back and locked eyes with you. He motions for you too to follow him up to pray. Obedient and excited to be called you follow the Lord. You reach a plateau with your companions. Jesus asks you to pray … Continue reading Prayer transfigures.
Checkmate.
"Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry"(Luke 4:1-2). Then the devil came... As Hemingway wrote in A Moveable Feast, "Hunger is a good discipline and you learn from it; but … Continue reading Checkmate.