This is my final blog post related to Henry Nowen’s wonderful book, The Return of the Prodigal Son. If you have been reading my blog for the past month or so, you know that I have been spending time with Nowan’s book and its deep dive into Rembrandt’s painting–and the parable itself. I have really…… Continue reading Grief, Forgiveness, Generosity
Category: Forgiveness
To Whom Do I Belong?
This post continues my reflections on Henri Nowen’s book on Rembrandt’s painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son. In his chapter on the leaving of the younger son, Nowen has a section on seeking, and misplaced desire. He starts this section with a question: “To whom do I belong?” “To God or to the world?”…… Continue reading To Whom Do I Belong?
Finding Home
This is the second post I wanted to share with some reflections sparked by Henri Nowen’s The Return of the Prodigal Son, and today, I want to combine a few threads that all wind together, with their roots in the book—but we’ll see if they come out as more than a tangled mess. Let’s start…… Continue reading Finding Home
Henri Nowen & The Prodigal Son
A book was recommended to me in May that I just now got around to reading: The Prodigal Son, by Henri Nowen. The book is a very thorough, very detailed examination of Rembrandt’s painting, “The Return of the Prodigal Son” [pictured above, on the book’s cover]. Even so, at the same time, the book is…… Continue reading Henri Nowen & The Prodigal Son
A Thought for Judas on Good Friday
On Good Friday, when death and despair take center stage, I think always of Judas, and his death of anguish, and hopelessness. His death of remorse and regret. His death of guilt and shame. Have you died such a death? On Good Friday, when the narrative of the crucifixion highlights so many bad decisions, scapegoating,…… Continue reading A Thought for Judas on Good Friday
A Miracle for the Camels
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples…… Continue reading A Miracle for the Camels
Treasure, and Faith
Members of the Wartburg Seminary community have been writing short daily devotions during the Lenten season, and I have really enjoyed the opportunity to start my morning with these meaningful reflections. Last week, two of my colleagues, Dr. Samantha Gilmore [our preaching professor], and the Rev. Dr. Troy Troftgruben [our New Testament professor] each wrote…… Continue reading Treasure, and Faith
If there is no hope for Judas…
This is my Wartburg Lenten devotion from today; Judas is plays a pretty significant role in my Lenten reflections, especially during Holy Week, and so I wanted to share this devotion here, too. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests…… Continue reading If there is no hope for Judas…
Reflecting on the Sheep & Goats
The Gospel text last Sunday was one of my absolute least-favorite parables of Jesus; sometimes it is called “The Judgement of the Nations,” sometimes it is called “The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.” It is from Matthew 25: 31 ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,…… Continue reading Reflecting on the Sheep & Goats
The 8 Pillars of Joy
I have written about The Book of Joy before, because I love it so much. Really, if you haven’t read it, I so strongly recommend it–for anyone, not just if you are religious. It is a book for people who love themselves, the world, and other people–and want to live more fully into a disposition…… Continue reading The 8 Pillars of Joy
Happy Lutheran 