It’s Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of the Christian calendar. We call the text we just read, the triumphal entry. But it’s hardly that! I mean what’s so triumphal about riding to your death, to a crucifixion? What’s so great about being arrested, humiliated, betrayed, tortured and then hung on a cross to die, like a common criminal? Read more →

Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” I’ve probably quoted this verse in almost every funeral I have ever officiated at. They are words of great comfort and great promise. Read more →

On Monday of this week, I ventured into our local Costco.  It’s not something I would have normally done given the circumstances, but I got a call that our canvas print of Jesus, the photo mosaic composed from thousands of small pictures of our congregation, was ready for pick up.  I told my wife that I was going, and she said, well if you’re going to go, you might as well pick up some chicken.  Okay, I said.  I went and I dutifully wiped down the handle on the shopping cart and proceeded down to the meat department.  I was unprepared for what I saw. Read more →