The theology of place is shown in Jesus’ leaving his hometown of Nazareth in Galilee and journeying through Samaria down into the region where John is baptizing followers. Jesus hears a...

Imagine coming up from your baptism and being driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be alone in silence for forty days to be tested by God. What? Must...

Suffering as a punishment for our wrongdoing is bad enough, but at least it is understandable. However, the scripture tells us that we are assured of the blessings and favor of...

For many people, Lent is a time of fasting in which we are encouraged to focus on eating and drinking. More specifically, we are asked to examine our relationship with water...

In this passage the writer petitions for restoration and guidance from God. It is a cry to God for understanding, compassion, tolerance, and supervision. The writer seeks liberation from shame and...

Who would actually go shopping with no resources and no money? Who would risk the embarrassment, disdain, and humiliation associated with being found lacking? Yet this passage asks us to be...

I sometimes wonder what the Pharisees in this passage were thinking. Did they take delight in telling Jesus that Herod was after him? Were they looking after his safety out of...

What do you think heaven will be like? Have you thought about who else is there? “Citizenship” implies we are not alone—we are citizens together, with shared rights, privileges, allegiances, and...

It’s possible to trust God and really struggle at the same time. Courage is most visible when it’s held in the face of real danger. This psalm reminds us that we...

We got chickens for our backyard this year. I’ve learned that hens can be stubborn, fierce, and protective. We don’t have a rooster, though, so I haven’t gotten to experience our...