People who know they will die live very carefully. Not careful as in fearful; careful as in full of care. Every word, every act, every relationship holds the possibility of giving birth to something filled with great care. And that thing need not be showy or dramatic,...
01703 – Persuasion is Required
At such a moment, hesitancy in speaking out faithfully on behalf of the good news of Jesus is inexcusable. There are...issues thrown at Christians today, and the world is both owed an answer and is actually waiting for the answer that only the church can give—even if...
01675 – God Should Have the First & Last Words
We are silent at the beginning of the day because God should have the first word, and we are silent before going to sleep because the last word also belongs to God.
01608 – Here is My Secret
Now--here is my secret: I tell it to you with an openness of heart that I doubt I shall ever achieve again so I pray that you are in a quiet room as you hear these words. My secret is that I need God--that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help...
01488 – God is Like a Mother
Our situation of "knowing God" is thus similar to that of a baby being held by its mother. In her hands, the baby does not "understand" the mother but rather experiences being known by the mother. In the same way, the revelation of God we have received from God is not...
01483 – What Did Jesus Mean?
To read the gospels in the spirit with which they were written, it is not enough to ask what Jesus did or said. We must ask what Jesus meant by his strange deeds and words. He intended to reveal the Father to us, and to show that he is the only-begotten Son of the...
01470 – Preaching Both Comedy and Tragedy
Switching on the lectern light and clearing his throat, the preacher speaks both the word of tragedy and the word of comedy because they are both of them of the truth and because Jesus speaks them both, blessed be he. The preacher tells the truth by speaking of the...
01465 – Are Words Necessary?
Preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.
01435 – A Friend Sings Your Song to You
A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
01393 – Words, Not Voice
Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.