Blog Posts

“The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below.”   –Joshua 2:11b                More than twenty years ago, Lori and I were keeping a secret. After numerous conversations with the search committee from a Presbyterian church in Pennsylvania, there came the moment we knew I was going…

“Do you have eyes and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear?” –Mark 8:18 This post goes live on Super Bowl Sunday. In the region where I live, there is a clear hope the result of the game this time around will be different than when…

“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” –Psalm 100:5 The 100th Psalm is one of my favorites.  As a pastor I often used it to open a worship service as the words are so fitting for such occasions.    “Make a joyful…

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths,  but only what is useful for building up…” –Ephesians 4:29a  It’s been cold. As I write these words, we have just concluded a week in Southeast Pennsylvania with multiple days of single-digit temperatures. We just had our first significant snowfall, too. …

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” –2 Timothy 3:16  Some of you will recall from a September post that my first full-time job after college was with the Bell System. I started at an office in…

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you.” –Philippians 1:3-4 This post marks the completion of my blog’s first year.  I began Ordinary Grace in January and at least once each week since have offered…

“and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.” –Luke 2:7b The chapter from which the verse above comes is a beloved part of Scripture. It is often dramatized in churches during December. Despite that broad familiarity, every Christmas pageant I have seen…

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth” –Luke 2:7a During my last year of seminary, I had the opportunity to be in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.  I was taking part in a two -week tour of Israel and Palestine and imagined that…