"Your brother was lost and has been found." (Luke 15.32) A handful of years have gone by since the man died, leaving behind two sons. And however long the discord between the sons and whatever the first cause of the distance between them, it did not end with the death of their dad. The younger… Continue reading He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14.27) Some years ago, a particularly rough storm passed through the area. People here are accustomed to high winds, but the winds that evening were not the usual ones. When morning came and we looked around to see what… Continue reading The Cost of Discipleship

"When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind." (Luke 14.13) Texas and BBQ go together like Cheech and Chong or Simon and Garfunkel. You'll always find BBQ in Texas. One of my favorite BBQ places is a renovated Dairy Queen in the next town over--DQs also so ubiquitous they… Continue reading Sit Wherever You Like

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough." (Luke 13.24) Crybabies need not apply. The Galilean Teacher scribbled those words on a piece of paper that he slid across the desk to the young marketing agent opposite him. A frown… Continue reading True Grit

"From now on a household of five will be divided." (Luke 12.52) It is something I wish I had not seen. In a world too often heartless, it seemed especially heartless. I once saw a woman refuse to enter the church for her mother's funeral. Instead, she sat outside in a car during the service.… Continue reading The Kindness of Strangers

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. --Luke 12.34 Once a man told me the story of a woman--his wife--who traded their children for twenty black bags of garbage. I kid you not. Nor was he kidding when he told me the tale. As he related the event, his wife could… Continue reading Treasure Island

Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God. (Luke 12.21) When the rabbi named Jesus died on the cross, the only material possession he left behind that was worth fighting for was the shirt on his back. When Mahatma Gandhi died, he… Continue reading “Just A Nickel to Her Name”