The wisdom of “walking in another person’s shoes” is a recurring theme, but it struck me with particular force upon reading a similar reflection in Chaim Potok’s The Chosen. It’s a principle I strive to keep present. Today, this principle brings to mind the horrifying situation of the man wrongfully abducted to El Salvador. Imagine…
Innocent
Certainly this man was innocent. — Luke 23:47b. The declaration in Luke, “Certainly this man was innocent,” underscores a timeless recognition of where a wrongful accusation can lead. The verse highlights the need for the fundamental tenet of the U.S. legal system: the presumption of innocence, where every individual is considered innocent until proven guilty. However,…
Finding Our Song on Alien Soil: Reclaiming Joy in Uncomfortable Places
How shall we sing the Lord’s song upon an alien soil? — Psalm 137:4. Sometimes, a familiar Bible verse suddenly hits us with new meaning. This happened to me with Psalm 137:4. Initially, living comfortably in Charlotte, the idea of “alien soil” didn’t seem relevant. But then I realized it’s more than just foreign lands.…
Future With Hope
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. — Jeremiah 29:11. “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord in Jeremiah 29:11, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to…
A Challenge
The threshold of Holy Week draws near. Soon, palms will stir in our hands, a joyful echo before the silence of Good Friday descends. For some, the nearing close of Lent may bring a sigh of relief; for others, a yearning to deepen the disciplines embraced. Each journey, distinct yet sacred, guides us toward its…