The world of the church, throughout history, has tended to be a "man's world." In many places, it still is. And yet, even in the early church there were whispers ... names mentioned ... women who led, taught, funded, were at the center of, Jesus' ministry, and the start of the church. As one who […]

When I mow the lawn, I think. Sometimes this is good. Sometimes it is boring. Sometimes I am fascinated by what my mind drifts toward. Today, this is what I pondered: Jesus often "broke the rules" in order to heal or love a person. For instance, He broke the Sabbath laws  in order to heal […]

This weekend, my brother and sister came home with their kids. My brother stayed with my folks - 4 kids, 2 dogs. My sister stayed with Chuck and me ... no dogs, 1 amazing Liza-child. Fun, busy, full, chaotic ... all words to describe the few days we had together. But last night, as Chuck […]

It's a beautiful, late-summer day here in Iowa. The humidity is high; the sun, too ... The crickets are chirping. You can almost hear the corn growing. And I have the day free. I can't describe to you the joy. I have a list of things I wanted to do ... It started with sitting […]

A Question:  How would you live today differently if you really believed God's only command for you was to love? And by love, I mean love in the same way that God in Christ has loved you. No limits. No conditions. No earning. No withholding. Unconditional, sacrificial love. Try it.  

Let no debt remain outstanding,  except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command, "Love […]