Sometimes the simplest acts are the best. Jesus takes bread and breaks it and says a few words. He does the same with a cup of wine. And these simple actions are repeated day after day, decade after decade, across the world, across denominational boundaries. Yes, we argue about what, exactly, happens with the bread […]

Jesus knew. Judas knew. They both knew who was going to turn Jesus over to the religious hierarchy when no crowds could interfere, no followers could protest, no believers could stop them. Judas knew because he had made the arrangements. Jesus knew because, well, he was Jesus. He knew who, he knew why, he knew […]

It was quiet celebration time. It was time to spend an evening remembering history. It was a time for a group of guys to think about centuries of history and years of shared life. It was Passover time. The disciples knew that they would spend the time together, they and Jesus. But they didn’t know […]

It was one of those parties where the future changes. It happens sometimes. You show up, expecting to have a good time. By the end of the party, everyone is talking about it. And two people at this party–one named, one unnamed–will be forever remembered. It seems that the pivotal point in this party is […]

(Paul Merrill writes here every First Friday) We were watching a family video last weekend – Man vs. Wild. The star, Bear Grylls, is an adventurous soul who can work his way out of any jam. This particular episode found him in the heart of the Amazon jungle – bone tired, hungry, soaking wet and […]