“Then the disciple Jesus loved said, ‘It’s the Master.’ Simon Peter, hearing that it was the Master put on his clothes (he’d been working naked), and threw himself into the sea” (John 21.7). The last thing you want to do… Read moreDiving In

“On that day, David was afraid of the Holy One, and he said, ‘How can the Ark of the Holy One come with me’” (2 Samuel 6.9)? For background, prior to Saul’s rule, the Elders of Israel, after a nasty… Read moreBeing Afraid

“God has said ‘I will bring y’all back from Bashan. I’ll bring ya back out the dark depths of the sea; so you might splash in bloody puddles, and your dogs’ll devour the dead’” (Psalm 68:23). Rather nasty image on… Read moreResurrection Sunday 2026: Shadows

“My god, my god why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my rescue? Don’t you hear me calling” (Psalm 22.1b). They are, arguably, the most disturbing words in the Gospels. In agony, humiliation, and sorrow, Jesus… Read moreMy God, My God…

“Pilate, desiring only to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas. But Jesus he handed over to be flogged and crucified” (Mark 15.15). In both the Nicene and Apostle’s creed, we recite that Jesus’ suffering was under Pontius Pilate, someone who, based… Read morePilate and Rome

“Jesus said to them, ‘You’ve no idea how I’ve looked forward to eating this pascha with you before I suffer” (Luke 22.15). One of my favorite scenes in the movie Moonstruck (1987) comes early in the film. Loretta (Cher) is… Read moreAs we were, as we are

“Amen, I tell you that any and everywhere the Gospel is declared throughout the whole of Creation, this woman’s action shall be remembered” (Matthew 26:13). I doubt this woman expected such a reaction when she picked up this container off… Read moreExtravagance

“Then the Evil One said to him, ‘All this I will give you, if you fall down, worship me’” (Matthew 4.9). “From then on, Jesus began proclaiming and said, ‘Change your ways, for the basileia of Heaven has come near’”… Read moreWild Places – The whole, wide world

“Then the Evil One said to him, ‘If you’re the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written “The Divine Messengers will be commanded to lift you up so you won’t even stub your toe on a stone”‘”… Read moreWild Places: Spectacle

“Then, having come to him, the Tempter said, ‘If you’re the Son of God, speak so that these stones become bread’” (Matthew 4.3). “Jesus said to them, ‘There’s no need for them to go away. You feed them’” (Matthew 14.16)…. Read moreIn the Wild Place: Bread