One of the lesser known 20th century Christian saints was a man named Clarence Jordan. Clarence was born in 1912 in the heart of Georgia. As a child he learned the familiar song “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so …” But the words, “red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his... READ MORE >
One of my favorite parables was told years ago by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. When he was a 9-year-old boy, young Frank took an evening walk with his uncle across a snowcovered meadow. As the two of them reached the woods at the far end of the field his uncle stopped and turned around. He pointed to his own... READ MORE >
I got to thinking about mathematics recently. As a student of literature, this isn’t something that I do very often. But mathematics shares something with language. There is a sense of precision and symmetry that can be found in both. Within mathematics there are equations that are so perfect that one could spend a lifetime contemplating their beauty. Take this... READ MORE >
“And coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.’ And he did... READ MORE >
He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these [commandments] since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving,... READ MORE >
Those who live along the North Shore share an experience that is rather unique. Whenever we travel to another part of the state, as we crest the hill above Duluth upon our return, we all think the exact same thing. “I’m home!” Even though we’re still a two-hour drive from our front door, just being near Lake Superior is all... READ MORE >
There is a legend that shares how the game of chess was devised by an eastern mathematician named Sessa. When Sessa showed his invention to the king, he was so amazed by it that he gave him the right to name whatever price he wanted as his reward. Since he was a very clever man, Sessa chose to be rewarded... READ MORE >
Some time ago there was a young seminary student who was serving as a chaplain in a large regional hospital. While he was on call one night he was asked to come to the room of a couple whose child had been stillborn. As he stepped into the room the young mother was resting in a chair, gently rocking her... READ MORE >
He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” Mark 8: 29 I often wonder about how Jesus’ disciples remembered him in the three days following his death. Before the resurrection, as they gathered in shock and grief to mourn their friend, how did they want to remember him? Perhaps they... READ MORE >
In the year 1886, Leo Tolstoy wrote a little-known short story about a peasant farmer named Pakhóm who is possessed by the desire to accumulate land. One day a landowner in a neighboring village offers him an amazing opportunity. For only 1,000 rubles, Pakhóm can buy as much land as he can walk around in a day. As long as... READ MORE >
