Attempts at Honesty – Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Cu...

In the churches of my youth, the story of the two sons, recorded in Luke 15:11-32, was used as a warning against “loose” living, hence it was referred to as the story of the Prodigal Son.
The highlight of the story for me is that the loving father is waiting at the crossroad to greet the prodigal when he decides to return. Rather than condemnation, the prodigal is greeted with an embrace, wrapped up in the arms of the father....

Two thousand years ago people understood the natural cause of human birth and the timing of the process. They had the ability to count off nine months in whatever language they spoke.
I’m thinking of this after reading the narrative of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Matthew....

This summer I had a chance to go on a trip, with a group of men from our church, to a place where hope is in short supply and the needs are great.
After returning home and reflecting on our time there, I began to wonder how much good we really did. Are the people better off than they were before, or did we simply make things a little better in the short term? I wrestled with God on this in prayer...

Pride is a sin which I can so easily spot in others and too seldom recognize in myself. Or, at least in the moment when I am responding in pride, I fail to check myself and choose humility instead. It is my suspicion, based on my observation of others...