We all love a good story. And there are good stories that are impressed upon us very early in our lives. One such story is that of Joseph, son of Jacob. Or, as Broadway entitled it, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” It’s a story of family dynamics involving loss, revenge, injustice, dishonesty, change, vindication, … Continue reading Joseph, son of Jacob – Not Such a Swell Guy After All →

Recently, I have had the privilege of leading the church I serve through the core of the Gospel of Luke (9:51-19:44). Without boring you with the details of this experience, I do want to share something that has been on my mind as we have journeyed through Luke. As many know all too well, Jesus … Continue reading But woe to you actors! →

I have found that one of the ways evil manifests itself is in the denial of “what is.” That is, in the denial of our concrete reality. Such often comes in the form of gaslighting or outright lying about a particular circumstance, situation, or person. What makes the denial of “what is” even more pernicious … Continue reading Understanding Evil and the Denial of “What Is” →

Sometimes because we have it so good, we quickly lose sight of just how bad things were throughout history. I don't intend to lessen or invalidate the pain that any of us in the modern West have gone through, but the threat of famine or of violent hordes coming to destroy our villages is not … Continue reading Trauma Residue in the Early Life of Jesus →

I’ve never been one of those super-serious clergy persons. The type that is very stoic in all that they do, especially when they lead worship.  Actually, that’s something that I will never understand; how pastors can remain so serious while leading God’s people in worship.   This isn’t to say that worship isn’t a serious endeavor, … Continue reading Irreverent Reverence →

There are times when my prayer time takes a hit or maybe I should say there are times when my prayer time really seems dry and pointless.  Yesterday, it was really hard for me to remain focused and to remain centered.  That sense of simply going through the motions without any sense of God’s presence … Continue reading When Prayer Time Is Hard →

A few weeks ago in one of his many press briefings Governor Cuomo encouraged us to take stock of the unexpected blessings of the pandemic.  Using himself as an example Cuomo explained that he was spending quality time with his daughters, quality time that simply wasn’t there before for him and his family.  I felt … Continue reading Emma Learns To Ride Her Bike →

It has been such a dreary and cold spring here in New York.  In many ways, it matches the way many of us are feeling here in the epicenter of the pandemic.  Spring just doesn’t seem to want to breakthrough.  But this morning I woke up to find clear skies and a warming sun.   I … Continue reading “O Lord, Open My Lips” →

There really is an absurdity to life, to the very ways in which we fail to see or to perceive the very truths that are right in front of us.  Instead, we latch onto narratives or stories or value systems that help us to justify the seemingly tragic, obvious, and superficial.  In many respects, such … Continue reading Absurdity? →

For me Holy Saturday begs the question: is it good that we know the ending to the story?  Does the knowledge that Jesus will rise from the dead cause us to skim over the emptiness and seeming meaninglessness of Jesus' death? I never paid much attention to Holy Saturday until taking part in the Spiritual … Continue reading Holy Saturday →