Again he began to teach beside the lake. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the lake on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower...

This week I wrote a column on preaching that I don’t think should be particularly risky but that I know is. It’s about when Jesus says that he comes that we might have not just life, but abundant life. Why should it not be risky? Because it’s about God’s love. So how controversial can...

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. Take note: the heavens don’t simply part in this scene. No, they are torn...

I’m beginning work on a book on stewardship. Except I don’t want to call what I’m writing about “stewardship” for two reasons: 1) Stewardship means a lot more than money, but I really want to talk about money and don’t want to shortchange stewardship of gifts, the...