Throughout history, there have been people who have decided that the best way to deal with the world is to escape it. In the Christian tradition, this begins with Antony of Egypt, who would live in a cemetery and then later in the desert to escape the temptations of the...

Employers see the world in terms of karma: “Work well for me and you will be granted pay. Work poorly and you will be fired.”   Religions see the world in terms of karma: “We all deserve God’s punishment. If others do us wrong, their punishment is rightly deserved.”  ...

We need a friend as much as food We long for joy as much as health We thirst for respect as much as water We seek peace as much as shelter It is not enough to give a loaf to the poor They also need encouragement If a soup kitchen...

Jesus offered Peter an opportunity to live in exuberant grace “Come out on the water. Walk with me.” Peter, in his enthusiasm, accepted. And he walked. And walked. And then he realized his vulnerability. At any other point, he would drown. The waves rise high and threaten him. And Peter...

• Judgment is immediate. It demands the quick decision and the sentence is as swift and demanding as a guillotine. • Mercy is slow. Mercy takes its time, deliberating, mulling over options. Mercy is often second-guessing itself, repenting of former decisions as repentance is made known. • Cheap Grace is careless. It cares...