Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people — Luke 5:10. While Matthew’s rendition of Jesus’ words – “fishers of men” – resonates more deeply with me, both verses highlight a pivotal moment. Jesus, in essence, was inviting seasoned fishermen to embark on an entirely new vocation. It’s striking to consider…
Cruel and Unusual
The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution stands as a sentinel against governmental excess: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” It’s a question that resonates through history: why would a nation birthed from the lofty ideals of the Declaration of Independence find it necessary to…
I Love You, But….
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. — 1 John 4:10. This verse offers a dramatic shift in how we understand love, particularly in our relationship with God. Instead of seeing it as our initiative towards…
Chance vs. Choice
Chance shapes the vast majority of life. The time, place, culture, family, body, brain, and biochemistry we are born into, the people who cross our path, the accidents that befall us — these dwarf in consequence the sum total of our choices. Still, our choices are the points of light that flicker against the opaque…
Who We Are
We are who we protect, we are who we take care of. — Sophie, Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code. This beautiful and thought provoking quote is an old favorite of mine, and it seems appropriate as our leaders consider The Budget and our nation’s priorities. Rather than get into politics let’s consider what our country’s, state’s, and…