In these closing verses of John Chapter 12, we are moving closer to the hour of the atoning death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the death of Jesus Christ achieved the exact opposite to what was at first thought.

Centuries ago, those who suffered mental illness were often committed to “madhouses.” These so-called treatment centers were about as brutal, barbaric and inhumane inventions as could be humanly conceived. Patients were subjected to various shock therapies, exorcisms, bloodlettings, ice baths, and gyration wheels. When not directly enduring these interventions, patients were generally kept in dark [...]

Once somebody sets himself against Jesus, there is no limit as to how far an individual will go, and if you go against Jesus, you will probably find that you are against the friends and disciples of Jesus too. We must never forget or ignore or overlook the fact that we are living in a fallen sinful world, and that there is an enemy who will do he can to upset and challenge and attack Christ and those who belong to Jesus Christ. To remember that can be most comforting and encouraging when we wonder why various things around us appear to arise and explode and hurt and wound.

Nobody’s perfect.

On Easter morning a Sunday School teacher began to quiz her class of young children about the real meaning of the day. She asked them, “What is Easter?” and the students were quick and ready to respond. A little boy jumped up and said, “Oh, I know! Easter is that holiday when we get together [...]

Every time Holy Wednesday rolls around I get to thinking … and remembering. Now I’m sure I agree with Fr. Stan Fortuna “ EVERYBODY’s gotta suffer ”.

We have been reading in the Gospel of John of some the mighty and wonderful incidents in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ – some of them exciting as in the raising of Lazarus with its profound spiritual lessons from Jesus but also from his disciples, and then we go on to read of the sad and tragic consequences as division followed. Many believed, but some ran and told tales

While reflecting on the coming Holy Week, I remembered one of my favorite stories. It is a mythical tale written by author, professor, Harley-Davidson rider, and pastor, Robert R. Kopp. As Pastor Robert tells it, a young man named Walter went to work for the largest corporation in the world. The personnel director told Walter [...]

I love hiking! A good pair of boots; warm sunbeams; wild thistle grass waving in a gentle breeze; red and white arrows painted on trees and signs …  “Aaahhhh what a life! So which direction are we going?” Answer: “Nowhere!” When I wrote about the difference between men and women in prayer, I was trying to evoke a bit more than the quaint reactions that went: “ Oh, we’re different. ” I had hoped to help each individual gauge himself in his or her dealings with their divine maker, when they get on their knees.  And that time I quoted other writers who said Barbie could possibly be one of the causes of women thinking they are not pretty enough, I was actually interested much less in the possible causes as in the effect : that women (and men) give more importance today to external beauty than to the beauty of their souls.

On that fresh spring day, I was anxious to get out of my white suit and clip-on tie. But with the house abuzz with family and friends, the day’s importance was beginning to dawn on me.