How Mary Found Her Joy
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” —Luke 1:46-47For nine or ten days Mary had carried in her heart the…
It Is Time for a National Database of United Methodist Clergy
Every year I receive phone calls from District Superintendents in different parts of the country asking for suggestions for pastors who might have the experience and gifts to…
Counsel and Comfort
Having considered Joseph's story, let’s look at Mary’s story in Luke 1. After Mary received word that she was going to give birth to a child—to the long-awaited…
Herod and Joseph: A Contrast in Character
Assuming Joseph was a young man when Jesus was conceived, one king had ruled over Judea during Joseph’s entire life: Herod “the Great.” Herod ruled Judea, with…
The Meaning of Nazareth
The name of this tiny village of Nazareth tells us something about the people living there and offers a clue to the identity of the child Mary would bear. Nazareth may come from…
You’re Invited on a Journey
It’s the week before Thanksgiving here in the United States. Although some of us have not even bought our Thanksgiving turkey—much less eaten it—the culture all…
Righteousness that Surpasses the Pharisees
I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 5:20 The Sermon on the Mount seems, at …
A Christian Vision Moving Forward
In 1630, as the Arbella was sailing to the New World with a ship full of Puritans who would settle the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Governor John Winthrop preached one of the most…
Money and Power
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you…
Suspending the Laws of Physics
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written…