Sept 1, 2026 When I read a book, I am doing more than looking at a string of letters and words. I interpret. What I mean is that the author has an image or concept in mind. They then choose the right words to express that concept or convey the image. The words are …
Tag Archives: Jesus
July Pastoral Letter
July 1, 2026 Each morning, I start my day with reading. First comes scripture, along with prayer, followed by books that are helpful for life and ministry. The last few days, I’ve been reading Leadership and the Sin of Empathy. Most would be surprised to hear the words “empathy” and “sin” placed together in this …
No such thing as a pocket Jesus
In Exodus 20, God was with Israel. The people gathered at the foot of Mt. Sinai. The Lord appeared to them in a thick cloud with lightning, thunder, and fire. He spoke with Moses in their hearing. This frightened the people so bad they told Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but …
Praying in Jesus’s Name
Recently, the City Manager of Carlsbad, California, forbade a chaplain from invoking the name of Jesus in their prayers. Supposedly, the order would have allowed any other name but Jesus. A chaplain could have used Allah, Jehovah, etc., just not Jesus. Of course, this is unconstitutional and won’t even pass muster in the 9th Circuit. …