ECW’s “Fishing for Souls” Gathering Brings Women Together in Faith

“What is your favorite image of Jesus?” a friend once asked. I answered the Good Shepherd. Why? Because it speaks of God’s care, protection and providence. In her lovely song, “I Shall Not Want,” Audrey Assad names things from which we may need to....(View this...

Ezra is five, and I tease his parents that he is like the cartoon character Dennis the Menace, with his curiosity and chatter. Upon learning his daddy’s middle name is David like the ancient King of Israel, Ezra wanted to know more about the king. I told him the story...

One of my former special needs students, now a friend, sometimes calls and asks me to take her places. WWF wrestling? No, I am not a fan. Roller derby? Yes, I enjoy it as much as she does. Biker church? Maybe. My friend is fascinated with motorcycles and bik....(View...

Context is everything with this verse. When the Pharisees come to Jesus and ask for a sign to test him, Jesus has just performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes, feeding four thousand people. It is no wonder that he sighs deeply. I would have rolled my eyes as...

Several of my friends have lost children to addiction. These funerals are heart-wrenching. Not only is the family mourning the death of a loved one, but they often have experienced suffering and stigma before the final loss. One mother displayed pictures in the...

This is not always true of me. I am sometimes very afraid. In particular, the idea of serious injury or disease afflicting my children terrifies me. Yet I know it is possible to have a faith that the psalmist describes. Sometimes, I trust and am able to put aside my...

I recently heard the story of a Palestinian physician who lives and works in Gaza. He was trying to complete a trip that should be around six hours. With the checkpoints and border patrols, the trip ended up taking twelve hours. As the doctor talked about t....(View...

Of all the verses you could pull from the Bible, this one from Galatians may be my favorite. There is a deep and abiding message to me in these words and the premise: We are all one in Jesus Christ. I believe this to be true. I also know that we Christians ....(View...

Psalm 40 begins, “I waited patiently upon the LORD.” And every time I read it, I wonder: What is it to wait patiently on the Lord? What is it to wait patiently on and for anything? My world has not served me well in learning to wait. Even my church has ....(View this...

Yesterday I talked about the difference between being a Christian and the practices we undertake to behave like one. Perhaps one of the most important exercises is making time for ourselves. When Jesus says to the disciples, “Come away to a deserted place all by...