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Devotions

A Great Idea – Devotion #3

After introducing Luke to the group, Mary looks around the booth from face to face. Matthew and John are the most comfortable. It’s not the first or even the fiftieth time they’ve hung out at Pop’s Pool Hall. Plus, they’re insiders. As disciples, they’ve got street cred. Mark is taking notes or maybe just scribbling to keep his hands busy. Luke looks like he pulled a double shift at the ER, but Mary knows he’ll be fine. She’s seen the depth of his passion and endurance while caring for lepers together.

“Gentlemen, I’m going to get right to the point. …

Devotions,

Pops, Mary, and the Boys – Devotion #2

“Look, John, don’t be a jerk about this,” Pops says. “The Roman authorities are threatening to pull my liquor license, so just show me your damn ID. You don’t even look like you’re shaving yet!”

John doesn’t want Pops to get in trouble, so he pulls out his Galilean identification. Still, he can’t resist messing with Pops. “I’ve been coming here for a few years, Pops, so if you don’t know my age … wait, you’re not getting senile, are you?”

“Watch it, kid,” Pops says, winking. “What are you drinking tonight?”

“Hmm,” John muses, “how about an elderflower …

Devotions,

It All Begins at Pop’s Pool Hall – Devotion #1

The disciples and other followers of Jesus stand on the hilltop and stare into the clouds where Jesus has just disappeared. They’re befuddled, disappointed, and even a touch angry.

Jesus is gone, and this time for good. It had been hard enough to lose him when he died on the cross—but then he’d come back! After his resurrection, it seemed like everything was possible.

Now it seems like everything is falling apart.

Matthew, remembering what Jesus told them moments earlier, mutters, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the …

Devotions,

New Devotion Series

You might remember that the last devotion series ended with the resurrection of Jesus. But in the forty days following, Jesus walks to Emmaus, has an awkward conversation with Thomas, cooks breakfast for his friends in Galilee, and has an even more awkward conversation with Peter. Then, on the day of Ascension, the disciples and others watch him rise into the sky and disappear.

That day of Ascension is, traditionally, the fortieth day after Easter. In 2025, that’s on May 29—and that’s when my new devotion series begins.

Like the conversations Jesus had with Thomas and Peter, this new series …

Devotions,

Sully

Sully is the donkey Mary rode on when she and Joseph made the journey to Bethlehem. Scholars have long argued about the name, but I have it on good authority that it was Sully. Granted, the “good authority” has the mind and imagination of a 5-year old, but truth is truth, right?

The Advent devotions introduced Sully and he was an immediate hit. He was then in the recent Easter devotions, and once again he stole the show. You know an idea works when people start requesting a book about the character! Sully generated that kind of reaction and more.…

Devotions, So you think you're a writer?,

Do Angels Wear Sunglasses?

Do angels wear sunglasses? The answer is yes, of course. But that’s not really the point of this blog post, sorry. But wait…hmmm…you know, actually, maybe it is. I’ll get to that in a minute.

See, the question I really want to ask you is this: have you ever wondered what inspires my devotions?

The obvious answer is Scripture itself. Each series I write, even when I call them “road trips,” is based on themes or events in the Bible.

But that’s true of almost anyone who writes a devotional series. So a better question is, what has pushed me …

Devotions,

Easter Devotions

The world renowned theologian looked at me, clearly suspicious of my sanity, much less credibility. I smiled, handed him a copy of my Advent book, and said, “I hope you have a sense of humor.”

Which, it turns out, he did. The fight at the ice cream stop on the way to Bethlehem was his favorite.

In a few days my Easter devotions begin, and I hope you have a sense of humor. Obviously, there is nothing funny about the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and Holy Week contains many serious events.

But the Junkyard Wisdom™ devotions tell …

Devotions,

Happy Belated New Year!

Happy Belated (because I’ve been taking a break from the blog) New Year!

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve sent you anything. Sorry about that. Or you’re welcome, depending on your point of view.

There are big plans (editor’s note: “big plans” is definitely an exaggeration) for Junkyard Wisdom™ in 2025, and I’d value your suggestions.

First, there will be a traditional Easter devotion. Woohoo! Should Sully show up?

But the Easter series is followed by an untraditional and perhaps uncomfortable devotion series. My imagination gets a little, um, expansive.

Imagine Matthew, Mark, Luke and John walking into a …