Galatians 2:15-21 And now, in Galatians, we’re down to at least one of the presenting controversies. The former outsiders becoming gatekeepers. Paul is Jewish, a Hebrew. All the original followers of Jesus were, but that changed pretty quickly as the message spread. How could it not? Jesus himself had spent a great deal...
II Samuel 11 & 12 Come Holy Spirit and fill our hearts with the transforming power of your presence, in your Holy Name we pray. Amen. Good Morning. Lust, sex, deceit, drunkenness, adultery and murder: it’s a wonder more people don’t read the Bible. But I have to say the people who we are...
This Salon article nicely sums up some of the most significant issues with the current mayor. I appreciate that Salon has a national audience, and this article can play a role in a media counter-offensive that will hopefully arise post-Time cover. But can I say . . . I’ve had enough of articles that...
In spite of vehement protesting, parental outcry, and lawsuit threats, the hand-picked, mayoral-appointed Chicago Board of Education has overwhelmingly voted to close 49 elementary schools and one high school. This bothers me on so many levels. The board has made claims that the school closings will help close a $1 billion deficit. It also...
Psalm 32 What a blessing it is to be among those you have forgiven, LORD, those whose record of wrongdoing you have wiped clean. People who are honest about their lives have everything going for them; they never have to cover their tracks or worry that they’ll be in your bad books. I...
For the first time since Mayor Rahm Emanuel took over CPS, his CEO laid out an education plan, calling for high academic standards, more focus on parental engagement and greater accountability for the district, including an annual scorecard. Among specifics called for in the plan announced by Barbara Byrd-Bennett are more arts education—the district...
Galatians 1:11-24 Paul didn’t have catchy little memes and placards, but he had some themes as he preached to the people of Galatia and elsewhere, trying with fervor to convince them to maintain the faith they had received and not be frightened or disheartened into falling away. I saw this one this week:...
1 Kings 17:8-16 8Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah, saying, 9Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you. 10So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was...
1 Kings 18:20-39 20So Ahab sent to all the Israelites, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel. 21Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not...
Song of Solomon 2:1-7 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. 2As a lily among brambles, so is my love among maidens. 3As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit...
