Newton’s third law of motion states that, “Every action has a reaction equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.” Many Indian religions speak of Karma as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect. And the Bible says that whatever you sow is precisely what you will reap. Bottom line? The actions we Read more

So clearly we are seeing patterns of deception that characterize these early patriarchs. This week’s first story is about deception’s close cousin stealing. For what is thievery if not deception in disguise? It is the ultimate ruse… taking something that you know does not belong to you and pretending that it does. The obvious path Read more

There are a few sayings that bear mentioning here… “like father, like son” and “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” are the first two that come to mind. We are definitely seeing some very obvious patterns here. What started with Abraham is now coming to roost in Isaac. There is a pretty sweet Read more

If you’ve been waiting for “the good part”… pull up a chair. This one’s gonna blow your mind. Most of this message we can understand. Much will make us want to emulate it. A small portion will challenge our deepest conventions. Abraham has already been selected and affirmed as the leader of God’s chosen people. Read more

The word hypocrite is an amalgam of the Greek prefix hypo-, meaning “under”, and the verb “krinein”, meaning “to sift or decide”. Thus the original meaning implied a deficiency in the ability to sift or decide. This deficiency, as it pertains to one’s own beliefs and feelings, informs the word’s contemporary meaning. 1 What causes Read more

There are few modern issues that have more significantly energized the so-called religious right than that of homosexuality. Religious vitriol has been spewed from both of sides of the debate. Most of these same discussions are neither entirely accurate nor biblically consistent. As for many, this issue is deeply personal for me. I have many Read more

When someone mentions the word change there are usually very few people that get in that line. The thought of the discomfort it will likely cause us to move from our norms is most unattractive. Yet when change is presented as metamorphosis or improvement… the line is out the door. We so want to be Read more

From the very beginning I have made a concerted effort to not make promises to our kids that I may not or cannot keep. I have often opted to not promise  at all if there is even a remote chance that I will be unable to make good on my promise. That said, I’m certain Read more

Dealing with conflict is something that most of us would rather avoid. Unfortunately we learn that the more we avoid it (often) the greater the issue becomes. Here we find a story – though not meant to be prescriptive for every situation – that can be instructive to us in handling disagreement and conflict. Once Read more