Lent is a season for self-examination. It is not mainly about feeling guilty. It is more like a chance to check the GPS (that might be “God Positioning System” if you like acronyms) and figure out exactly where you have come and where you still have to go. We often describe this life as a spiritual journey, […]
The Good Samaritan: A Lenten Reflection on Heidelberg Catechism Q. 9
I can’t do it! You are not being fair.” Both as a parent and as a teacher I’ve inspired those accusations. Does our ability change our responsibility? If the rules tell me I have to do something, but my life says I just can’t do it, what happens? Of course I don’t ask people to […]
Three Keys to Spiritual Maturity: A Lenten Reflection
What qualities define spiritual maturity? It is a good thing to reflect on at any time: know what the target is and you have a better chance of moving toward it. I’ve been recommending people think about the question now, in Lent, following the model of Thomas Hooker, 17th century Puritan and founder of Connecticut. […]
My Problem. Whose Fault? (Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 7)
In Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” members of an urban gang consider the source of their problems. They sing it all to their favorite cop, Officer Krupke. Here’s their first theory. I’ll call it “Krupke, 1”: Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke, You gotta understand, It’s just our bringin’ up-ke That gets us out of hand.” Many […]
Are You God’s Self-Portrait? Heidelberg Catechism Q. 6
You sit down with your journal to do some Lenten reflection. You start thinking about your life, your relationships, your faith. You are probably aware of some places where you wish things were different — that’s the point, of course. But then you look back and wonder: “Hasn’t it always been this way?” Unless you […]