Many people have pointed out that one way of looking at the prophet Jonah is as a classic nationalist. You could say he believes in Israel. Israel should be first. He is with the chosen children of God, not the gentiles, and definitely not the Ninevites. Now, his nationalism… maybe it’s the subtle kind. He’sContinue reading “An Invitation for Outsiders & Insiders”
Category Archives: Stories
Attempted Escape
Yesterday was the first of my two-part sermon series on the Book of Jonah. This is a story about Jonah, and it’s a story about Israel, and it’s a story about me. And one thing that’s true for all of us, is that the call of God is often clear. It’s often as clear asContinue reading “Attempted Escape”
The End of the Story – Will Ferrell, Jim Stockdale, and Educators
There’s this movie with Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, and Dustin Hoffman called Stranger than Fiction. Have you seen it? If not, you should watch it; it’s excellent. Will Ferrell is a character in a book that Emma Thompson is writing and there’s this interplay between her story and real life that is creative and thoughtContinue reading “The End of the Story – Will Ferrell, Jim Stockdale, and Educators”
Esther: Who Knows?The Mystery of God
A sermon at Emmaus in the middle of a series on the Old Testament called A Well Worn Path… So this decree is sent out all across the empire. Jews everywhere, including Mordecai, are horrified. And so Mordecai sends word to Esther. Remember Esther is the closest one to the king and she’s secretly Jewish. Continue reading “Esther: Who Knows?The Mystery of God”
Delivered Again
A sermon at Emmaus in the middle of a series on the Old Testament called “A Well Worn Path…” This outcry of Gideon… it’s the outcry of the broken, the unemployed, the lonely, the sick. It’s the outcry of one who has faced rejection after rejection. It’s the outcry of you and me when weContinue reading “Delivered Again”
Swimmers, you’re being watched
My two oldest kids swim for the Loomis Basin Dolphins. Since I wasn’t a swimmer growing up it has taken me a while to learn the ins and outs of how this whole swim team thing works. It’s a whole different culture with its own unique language and norms. This year though. I’m fully in. Continue reading “Swimmers, you’re being watched”
Conceive
A sermon at Emmaus in the middle of a series on the Apostles’ Creed called “Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters.” There’s a church in New Jersey called Nassau Church. It sits on the edge of a college campus along this busy downtown street. You walk from the street outside, up the wideContinue reading “Conceive”
I beat him again – but not really
Yesterday was my 10th year in a row running the California International Marathon. It runs from Folsom through 6 different cities on its way to the steps of the Capitol Building in Sacramento. In previous years, there’s been major rain or freezing winds, but yesterday’s weather was perfect – high 40s at the start andContinue reading “I beat him again – but not really”
I can only hold 5 acorns
Bracken and Carson were practicing soccer, Cormick was climbing around on the playground, and Anders was contemplating life, limitations and priorities under the oak trees. I stood and watched our 18 month old gathering acorns for about 30 minutes. His process was simple at first. He crouched down and used both of his little handsContinue reading “I can only hold 5 acorns”
The Greatest Week Video Contest
It’s Homecoming week at Del Oro, and it’s huge. Every day has a different dress up theme (doctors vs. patients, blast from the past, alarm didn’t go off, etc.) and students and teachers go all out with their costumes. Every night this week students are at school until about 10pm building floats for the paradeContinue reading “The Greatest Week Video Contest”
Mr. Zerwas Teaches Here 