Browsing Category

Random Thoughts

Nicknames

Had a nice conversation with an old friend the other day, and he kept calling me “Kid” even though I was his boss for two decades. I finally stopped him and asked, “What’s up with this “kid” stuff?” He laughed and reminded me that it was my nickname when I was working in the wrecking yard. I’d forgotten about that! When we worked there I was always the youngest around, thus the name.

That got me thinking about all the nicknames I’ve had over the years. Thankfully not many of them have stuck. Thought I’d share a few of the …

Random Thoughts,

Life as Prayer

Many years ago, when I was far younger than today, I was interviewing a person for an important leadership position at a ministry. He was about my age and I asked him to describe his prayer life. He answered, “My life is a prayer.”

That’s all he said. I sat there waiting for him to elaborate. He didn’t.

Curious, I asked the typical follow-up questions. How do you do that? What does it look like? Are there exercises to follow? How can you attain such intimacy with God at such a young age? I wanted an answer that helped me …

Random Thoughts,

Easter Week

Today is the first day of Easter Week. I know, you think of Easter week as being last week! But last week was Holy Week, this week is Easter Week. Confused? Well, it’s not that big of a deal, so don’t worry about it.

Suffice to say that this is a time of true celebration. Actually, tradition has it that the entire week is just one long day … a time to worship, shout for joy, sing songs of praise, laugh heartily, and focus on the astounding truth of the resurrection. That’s quite a party!

There is no fasting this …

Random Thoughts,

He Is Risen!

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Today is truly a glorious day! The dread of Friday is past, the silence of Saturday is shattered with amazing news. The hopes of Palm Sunday are restored, but made anew and entirely pure. Now is a time to celebrate the Risen Savior!

I’ve posted a reading (poem, prayer, hymn, whatever you’d like for it to be) from Celtic Daily Prayer. This devotional and prayer handbook seems to go everywhere with me these days. I hope you enjoy it and have a joyous Easter of celebration and worship.

Where is …

Random Thoughts,

Holy Week Reflections – Silent Saturday

Today is traditionally called Holy Saturday, Joyous Saturday, Great Saturday or Black Saturday.

Jesus is dead, buried, gone. God is mute, as Pete Greig said in his book. There is silence. Confusion. Fear.

A strange sense of nothingness permeates those who were close to Jesus and put their hope in Him. The disciples must be asking, “What happened?” Nothing made sense. No answers to their countless questions. According to the Gospel of Matthew, even Judas had killed himself before they could interrogate him.

For those who followed Jesus, there was no activity in the temple, in the courts, or on …

Random Thoughts,

Holy Week Reflections – Good Friday – The Cross

Today is Good Friday (or Great Friday, in the Orthodox tradition). Jesus is tried, executed, buried, and descends into hell. It’s a sham trial, of course. And a brutal death on the cross. I wrote more here about the descent into hell if you are interested.

The cross has always been inconvenient. Every skeptic has asked, “Why did Jesus have to die?” The truth is that every believer has asked the same question. There are answers to this question, of course. Some deeply theological, some simplistic answers you might offer a child. My favorite is from Hebrews 2, which says …

Random Thoughts,

Holy Week Reflections – Towel & Basin Thursday

Today is traditionally called Maundy Thursday and has focused on such things as the sleeping disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, the anxious Jesus praying fervently, and of course the Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples. The Last Supper has become communion, a sacrament in the Church that reminds us of what Christ did for us. It is central to the Church no matter which denomination.

Even though the old word “maundy” can literally mean “washing”, you don’t see a lot of attention paid to the act of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples on Maundy …

Random Thoughts,

Holy Week Reflections – Thirty Pieces of Silver

Wednesday was the calm before the storm. Jesus continued to teach in the Temple and a few preparations were made for the Passover, but the day was uneventful otherwise. The Last Supper, the washing of the disciples feet, the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the arrest of Jesus … all tomorrow. On the surface, Wednesday was quiet.

Of course, it was not quiet at all. Evil men were plotting. The Sanhedrin wanted Jesus dead. The Pharisees agreed. Somebody went to the bank and pulled out some extra cash, thirty pieces of silver, just in case the opportunity for a …