Something I’ve believed in, by faith, for a long time now is that if you tend to the health of the roots, the fruit will grow naturally and healthy. I say “by faith” because the temptation is to get immediate results by setting up programs or ministries or codes of conduct that look like fruit. But they are usually plastic because they aren’t real. They are often expressions of anxious concern for appearances, busy-ness, or effectiveness in the world. I’m... Read more

“Too many worship services in churches today are mere fronts for the pastor’s ego or the congregation’s needs, or both” (Eugene Peterson). Read more

“I was born into the Hebrew persuasion, but when I grew up I converted to narcissism” (Woody Allen, in the film Scoop). Read more

I’ve given myself some time to think about how Sunday went. I preached from Hebrews 12:15… “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled.” The basic thrust of my message was that there are two ways to live: one is to live by grace; the other is to live by willpower and effort. We are surrounded and filled with... Read more