1 Corinthians

"You're a preacher, I can tell," the woman said to me. "But not yet."

It was after a funeral. I was sitting with a couple who were visiting our congregation, but it turned out they had connections with my husband's church, so we began to chat.  And (here's where I get fuzzy) I don't know how this came up or what I said exactly, but I must have said something about "the historical view" or "the critical view" of the Bible, and they both got this stricken, deer-in-the-headlights look.

In the midst of ethical and doctrinal problems, says Paul, what is most important is to love all people.

In a recent interview, Diane Keaton told the story of when she first decided to adopt a child. She was driving her father home from the hospital to die.

It's hard to believe that any preacher would choose to preach on this week's epistle reading. There are words here rarely spoken in our sanctuaries, and using this text might get a preacher sent to denominational reform school.

Patience is not one of my virtues, as those closest to me know. I want answers now, clarity now, unresolved issues settled now, anxiety lifted now.

Patience is not one of my virtues, as those closest to me know. I want answers now, clarity now, unresolved issues settled now, anxiety lifted now.

Bring it on, commerce.

Bring it on, commerce.

Prayer is not something we do first and foremost on our own. We pray with other Christians.

Prayer is not something we do first and foremost on our own. We pray with other Christians.

It was not Paul's worldly status and gifts that resulted in Corinthian faithfulness, but his weakness.

To the Ephesians and Philippians, to the Galatians and anyone who would listen, Paul’s message was the same.