Now is the judgement of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. (John 12:31, ESV) A few weeks ago, I dropped my car off to be inspected and, since my wife was away and it was nice out, I walked home. During the 45-minute walk I saw for the first … Continue reading →

History used to bore me. Especially American history. I mean, really, that’s over two centuries old. Talk about boring. But then something fascinating happened. Like many, as I grew older, I began to understand the importance and the richness of history, both in American and the world. I’m also not alone in my desire to … Continue reading →

Daniel and I carpool to work quite frequently and have many diverse conversations. We also see many things. This morning, as we drove through the Lancaster countryside backroads, we both saw a stunning golden sunrise set against an old country barn that had several trees placed in just the right position to offset the barn … Continue reading →

Life is full of opposing forces that can uproot the balance that we need. If we are not careful, these forces can pull us to an extreme that becomes unhealthy. These dichotomic forces can also bring balance back into our life, too. Israel is filled with this polarity that harmonizes in a magical balance of … Continue reading →

Closeness. Do you remember what it was like to be close to things? Friends, relatives, and even a job? We live in a world today where we are close, and simultaneously not close through the magic of technology. It’s like we are with people when alone, but alone when we are with people. Today I … Continue reading →

Being in a place can give a more accurate picture and deeper meaning to a historical context. We walk the streets where history happened, we can understand the reality of what, earlier, were just words. Making something ‘more real’ We gain a better perspective on the intimate challenges someone may have faced on a very … Continue reading →

We read the bible. We study it. We pray for understanding of what God the Father is telling us or what Jesus’ parables meant. What do those stories from so long ago mean? As I sit drinking a cup of coffee in my upstair study, how do I relate with fishermen from the first century? … Continue reading →

The Bible. That word scares a lot of people these days. Some say scripture instead to soften the sharpness of the word. And many refuse to trust the Bible for what it is. Why is this? I feel that many of us fear the Bible at times (some of us more than others). Or we … Continue reading →