Yesterday I shared a story told by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen about the birthday of the world. The story relates how we, as human beings, are here to look for the hidden light in all people and events. And in doing so, help restore the innate wholeness of the world God created. Dr. Bremmen went […]
The other day, I was listening to an interview with the author and doctor Rachel Naomi Remen. She is a fascinating person of deep Jewish faith. She has done groundbreaking work with cancer patients, and she herself has had a lifelong struggle with Crohn’s Disease. In the interview, she shared a story that was related […]
There is a legend about a king who decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. There were four people, each in turn, who were presented to the king. First was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honor because he had given […]
Yesterday we reflected on a passage from the book of Isaiah, chapter 61: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to […]
In the book of Isaiah, chapter 61(1-2) we read these words: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the […]
The much-beloved hymn Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee was written in 1907 by Henry van Dyke. He had been speaking at Williams College in Massachusetts and was inspired by the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains. Later, speaking about the hymn he said, “These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings… hymns of today may […]
Sometime back I was listening to an interview with George Forman. At the end of the interview, he was asked about his father. He never knew his father growing up. He wasn’t around. In fact, he didn’t meet the man until after he had made it as the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. He […]
Not just once, but twice, Psalm 42 asks the question, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” It also says, “My tears have been my food day and night. Why have you forgotten me?” These emotions and questions are real. They are part of the human experience. Most of us have […]
Last Sunday was Baptism of the Lord Sunday. In the Gospel of Matthew (3:13ff) we see that Jesus begins his ministry by being baptized. Matthew tells us that in his baptism, the heavens were opened and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. And the Father speaks, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with […]
Yesterday was Baptism of the Lord Sunday. In the Gospel of Matthew (3:13ff) we see that Jesus begins his ministry by being baptized. Matthew tells us that in his baptism, the heavens were opened and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. And the Father speaks, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you […]
