Good

In one of his songs KB asked “Why do the good dye young?” Then he answers the question with, “That only happened once.” I understand what he means, but the truth is the Bible calls many a person good. I know that these people are not good in the same way that Jesus is good. Nobody is. But they are good because they seem to want to do the right thing. Oh, and by the way, this is not about being saved. We are saved because of the goodness of Jesus. Continue reading

Into Your Hands

Within the current cultural current there seems to be a lot of fear mongering. Fear COVID! Fear the government! Fear the scientists! Fear the politicians! Fear the conspiracy theorists! And interestingly, within this there is a lot of accusing the other side of whatever fear fence people seem to be standing behind of living a life motivated by fear. I’m not sure fear is the problem. Jesus was anxious enough about the upcoming cross event that he sweat blood. That is fear. Or, at the very least, anxiety that dances with fear. Y Continue reading

Criminal Like Me

I walked into the chapel in prison. As the men came in, I began to hear about an attack that had happened not too long before. One of the men who regularly attended the Bible study was beat into the hospital. His attacker put several pad locks into a sock and then swung with determination. My friend was left with a broken cheek bone and jaw and more bruises than you could keep track of. And what was his offense? The attacker believed that my friend had ratted him out to the officers. Snitches get stiches is not a mere saying in prison. Continue reading

Crucifixion

I can remember when I went to the theatre to watch “The Passion of Christ.” When the movie was over the theatre was full of stunned silence. I can remember my son being overwhelmed with the image of soldiers beating Jesus and laughing and drinking as they drove the nails through flesh and wood as if this were a normal event. I can remember sitting in that stunned silence and thinking, “He did that for me. Continue reading

Compassionate Warning

You’ve heard it before. I can’t worry about other people I have to take care of myself. And the professed goal is, “If I nurture myself to a state of health well, then, maybe I can help others.” I wonder if people can get stuck in a taking care of self swamp. It may look something like this: I’d like to help that person with car troubles, but I have car troubles of my own. I sure would like to encourage people, but you know what, I need encouragement my own self. I’ve heard people use the example of airplanes and oxygen masks. Put your own mask on and then help others with theirs. And I know this makes sense. Continue reading

Release

Remember the Native American story; the one where the grandfather is explaining to his grandson that every person has two wolves inside of them – an evil wolf and a good wolf? Okay, so picture these two wolves. One is snarling and all full of evil intent, longing to bite and rip apart. The other is growling at injustice and hatred and standing guard over the weak and hurting. In the parable, the grandson asked, “How can we make sure that the good wolf wins?” The grandfather responds with, “It is all about which one is fed.” But there is a reality here. Some purposefully feed the evil wolf. There are a lot of reasons why. Continue reading

Training Jesus

I am a chaplain at a youth correction center. Most of the students I deal with are good kids. Oh sure, they messed up. But with a little training, they’ll be alright. The goal of the youth correction center is not merely punishment. The primary goal is correction. Just like the name implies. But can there be correction or training without consequences? Maybe, but I’ve never seen it work. I wonder if we think of Jesus this way. Whoa! Continue reading

A Circus Performer Belief

In the movie “Gladiator” Russel Crowe plays Maximus who is, well, a gladiator. His master tells him that he needs to play to the crowds; to give them what they want. In one scene, he quickly dispatches with his opponents. This is followed by stunned silence. Maximus yells out “ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!” Then he throws down his sword and walks out of the arena. Maximus used to be a soldier, and a good one. And he has been reduced to being an entertainer; someone who kills or is killed for the pleasure of others. Continue reading

No Blanky Belief

I get asked somewhat frequently if I really believe in Jesus. I always answer with a simple “Yes.” Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn’t respond with a “Do you say Jesus is King?” Does that seem jarring; incongruous? But this question should be a heavy question. I minister among young people who claim a belief in Jesus. But this belief doesn’t shape their language. It doesn’t change how they treat other people. Continue reading

Lingering Unbelief

Just the other day, I had a young man ask me questions about God and hell. But here’s the thing, he was not seeking an answer. He was not wanting to discuss differences we may have. He was intent on painting God as a dictator who forces compliance through threats of eternal punishment. He asked question without wanting to hear my thoughts. To be honest, I was not truly trying to learn from him either. Continue reading