Chuck is a great person at Anawim. He is in subsidized housing and has most of his needs met. But he still needs friends, people to listen to him and love, just like the rest of us, and those are things that no government or corporation can give. He has...

When Jesus looked at the people who followed him, he saw sheep with no leader—people who were considered outside of God’s blessing, God’s provision. They followed him because they were desperate for God’s touch and help. There were many who could not gain anything from the leaders in Jerusalem, because they...

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Before this, there was nothing. Then, poof! (or Bang!) there were heavens and earth. The two basics of all life. Sky and ground. Ceiling and floor. Up and down. These are the two basics of many cosmos origin stories. Some...

Ah, the poor— you lucky dogs! Because you are the owners of God’s kingdom. How lucky are those who are presently hungry— because God will make sure you have your fill. How lucky are those who weep in this life— because God will make you laugh. How lucky are...

Jesus is the piper, and we are the children. He is leading us the asylum, so we can be mad for love as He is. He provides rain and food to all, even to the ungrateful, even to the wicked. Even so, we shall not ask, “Who is my enemy...

“By faith, we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God: that which does not appear becomes that which is seen.”   In all things we must begin with God, because without God there is nothing. That which is without God is the weakest of all creatures,...

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...