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 […]

A woman brings perfume to a party. She pours it on Jesus’ head. The disciples get all upset. Jesus defends her. He says, “When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.” I wonder if she knew that’s what she was doing? It’s possible that she had paid […]

Mark and Troy and I were decorating a big Christmas tree last night. It is on the corner of the platform in the gym at church. It is a tall tree. As I was handing the lights to Mark who was handing them to Troy, I said “I still have to write tonight.” “I’ll bet […]

We’re going back to Matthew. We spent some time on giving thanks, and that was good, but we’re going back to Matthew. We talked about parts of Holy Week back in April, but we’re going back to Matthew. It’s the first of December and the beginning of Advent, but we’re going back to Matthew. Matthew […]