If I use enough imagination, do a bit of mental gymnastics, I can always find myself in the “good guy” in Jesus’ parables.
Connections 09.18.2022: Financial Shrewdness
September 11, 2022 by
Last year, my husband and I decided to take on the expensive project of replacing the siding and windows of our home. We were unable to pay the company the entire amount upfront, and we didn’t want to take out a loan and pay interest to a bank.
Crossroads: The Parable of the Mustard Seed
June 21, 2021 by
If you have ever planted a flower, you know that it starts from a tiny seed. That seed doesn’t look like much; in fact, you might lose it if you drop it. But when you put that seed in soil, cover it up, and water it, something amazing starts to happen. Pretty soon, you start to see green sprouts.
Connections 11.15.2020: Using Our Gifts
November 8, 2020 by
Jesus’ parable about the talents inspires us to use our gifts from God to serve the Christian cause and help others. And that’s important.
Connections 11.08.2020: Joyful Readiness
November 1, 2020 by
Our current unit of lessons is entitled “The Disciple’s Life” and is subtitled “Motives and Actions.” The title and subtitle assume that we should undertake certain actions as disciples of Jesus.
Rescue
August 4, 2020 by
Batman asks Superman to come to Gotham City and talk to a girl in the hospital. Her foster parents were killed and her foster sister has been taken. To where? Up in the sky.
Connections 07.26.2020: Yes, But…
July 19, 2020 by
The short parables in this week’s lesson are fascinating, and they give us much to think and talk about. They also give us much to do something about.
Formations 05.10.2020: But I Don’t Want To!
May 3, 2020 by
What would it take to get you to do something you really, really didn’t want to do? Imagine: You’re a typical first-century peasant in a small village where everybody knows everybody.
Formations 10.28.2018: Reward
October 21, 2018 by
When Jesus tells a story about masters and slaves, we hope that its promises about God’s kingdom will add up within us. But I’ve noticed more conflict than promise in this story. There is the punishment faced by the last slave.
Formations 10.21.2018: Crossing the Threshold
October 14, 2018 by
There’s a scene in The Time Machine (MGM, 1960) that doesn’t appear in the H. G. Wells novel on which the movie is based. During a climactic battle in the far future, George, the time traveler (played by Rod Taylor), is finally reunited with his time machine.
Formations 10.14.2018: Seeing God’s Favor
October 7, 2018 by
I’ve not seen it, but I’ve heard the stories. On some days in the summer, rising tides and east-facing winds push poorly oxygenated water toward the eastern edge of Mobile Bay. With it come the crab and flounder, and the shallow waters are overrun with all manner of food.
Connections 07.08.2018: Learning from Experience
July 1, 2018 by
My late mentor, Dr. Howard P. Giddens, was an excellent Bible teacher. So when I became pastor of my first church after seminary, I asked him over the years to come lead several Bible studies.
The Sower…and His Sons
August 10, 2016 by
Listen, my friends and you will hear,
Some stories that will not be new to your ears.
For today’s translation is sure to surprise,
So pay attention, and open your spiritual eyes…
Connections 05.15.2016: It’s Hard to Be Humble
May 8, 2016 by
My father, the late great Champ Ruffin, would sometimes say, “You know, it’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am.” He was kidding. I think. I noticed he never said it when Mama was around.
Connections 04.24.2016: Rejoicing in the Found
April 17, 2016 by
The story of the prodigal son is one of the most confounding, ridiculous, and beautiful passages in the Bible. I can think of a few headlines that might apply: “Spoiled Rotten Kid Wastes Parents’ Money, Gets Rewarded.” “Father Accused of Enabling Ungrateful Son.”
Uniform 02.08.2015: A Need for Fresh Eyes
February 1, 2015 by
In every community, there are stories that have been told so many times that people develop a shorthand code for telling them. For my family, the mention of “sunny-side-up eggs” evokes a cautionary tale against overeating before church.
Thrive: Is it Fair? – Cynthia Insko
November 10, 2014 by
I have three children. It’s very important to me to avoid favoritism and treat each fairly. For example, when the last brownie is left in the pan, I meticulously cut it in three equal parts.
Thrive: Are You Ready? – Cynthia Insko
November 3, 2014 by
Each Sunday at the threshold of our Godly Play children’s worship classroom our doorkeeper bends down, looks each child in the eye, calls her by name and asks, “Are you ready?” Answering “Yes,” one by one the children enter our sacred space.
Thrive: Two Sons – Allison Kentle
September 1, 2014 by
Can you just picture the scene one Saturday morning? Everyone is in the kitchen. One teen is sitting on the counter, pop tart in one hand, texting with the other hand. The other sits at the kitchen counter eating a bowl of cereal, headphones on.
Like a Good Neighbor
August 19, 2014 by
A man was going from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Louisville, Kentucky, when along the way he had a flat tire. Stranded on the side of the road, he was robbed, his car was stripped, he was shot, and left for dead.
Thrive: The Generous One – Valerie Burton
August 18, 2014 by
Living with children has turned me into a champion negotiator. They will bargain with me as long as I will let them. It has been assumed from the earliest practices of religion that humans could bargain with the gods to get what they want.