I never knew…

I never knew I could love someone, the way I love you. I’ve loved a lot of people in my life, more than I can count. I’ve loved them for how they’ve treated me, how they’ve taken care of me, how they’ve helped me, and who they’ve been in my life. Your grandma was probably the first. I don’t remember all the ways she shaped me and all the things she’s done - but I know she loves me and…

With just one breath…

Many things can change in an instant. All you have to do is watch or be a part of enough sporting events to know that one second has the power to change almost any game, any career, or the trajectory of an entire franchise and city. If a player had taken one step in another direction, swung just a little sooner, zigged when instead they zagged; everything would be different. Sometimes it’s just the difference between making a play or…

My little man

I remember the first time I held you, thinking to myself that someday you would be a man. A great big grown up with hair on your face and muscles in your arms. I remember thinking; “some day - this kid will hug me and I’ll be surprised that he can squeeze me harder than I can squeeze back.” And while I’m happy to report that day still hasn’t arrived, it feels a lot closer now then it did back…

Common sense Christianity

For years, decades, perhaps even centuries, common sense has been understood and agreed upon by the majority of people on the planet - despite ideological and even religious differences, people agreed on certain things that seemed illogical to deny. Elders should be respected, children are to be taken care of and valued, its better to be kind to someone than to shame them, things are either true, or false; these things and many more like them were just “known” and…

he has come to save

Early in the morning, before the sun had risen, they set out for the tomb. What was the use in waiting? They hadn’t slept in 48 hours, and they weren’t going to start now. His body had been buried hastily, and they had waited until after sabbath to return and do it true justice. Sure, He hadn’t been who He claimed, who they thought, who they WANTED Him to be - but He was still a friend, a teacher, and…

no rest for the weary

Matthew 27:62–66 (ESV) ~ The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse…

Lying in a tomb

John 19:38–42 (ESV) ~ After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it…

three times

Is it lying if, when you say something that eventually proves to be false, you really meant it at the time? That is the question running through Peter’s head as he paces back and forth in the upper room that night. Just a few hours ago he and Jesus had sat next to each other at the table. He had fed him the bread. He had passed him the cup. There had been such calm and peace in the room…

everything is upside down

Matthew 23:37–39 (ESV) ~“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Everythingis upside down. He has…

this time feels different

Mark 11:27–28(ESV) ~ And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” This time feels different. They’ve been here before. Jerusalem. The city has never been great to them, but the moments of fear and tension have always passed. Usually the…