(Paul Merrill writes here the first Friday of every month. This week, he celebrated a half-century of living and learning.) A very familiar parable Jesus told is about the farmer who planted seeds. The seeds represented the message of God’s Kingdom. Matthew 13:22 reads: “The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear […]

Jesus was always doing awful things. That’s what the Pharisees thought. That’s what some people now think. For example, here’s what he did one afternoon: He rode a donkey into town. He was surrounded by a cheering crowd. He walked into the temple and knocked over tables. He claimed that it was his house. Some […]