Fourth Sunday of Lent: The Marks of Greatness

Have you seen the Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life? Surely, you know the story. Down-and-out banker George Bailey stands over an icy river, ready to end it all, asking God to strike his name from history's roll. At that moment, a friendly angel appears and takes George on a tour to see how life would have turned out for his town if God honored his request.

Third Sunday in Lent: Need An Attitude Adjustment?

Every parent knows the frustration that follows a complaining child. Kids are notorious for voicing their feelings about the current condition of their lives. "I'm hungry!" "I'm thirsty." "I want my own room." "When are we going home?" The pitter-patter of little feet is adorable; the constant grumbling of a child is aggravating.

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany: Which Book Are You Living By

In the John Wayne classic The Quiet Man, Wayne's character must battle his love interest's brother, Red Danaher. Danaher is an Irish landowner with few friends and a long list of enemies. In fact, one of Danaher's cronies is tasked with maintaining the list. When offended, Danaher will cry out, "Take out your book." His crony brandishes the book and Danaher dictates the offender's name. Recording the name is not sufficient retribution. After the name is written down, Danaher proclaims, "Now strike a line through it!"

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany: Salt of the Earth

Dining in my collegiate cafeteria was always an adventure. Some nights were a hit (steak night), others a miss (King Ranch Casserole). Fortunately, tucked in the corner of the cafeteria was a waffle iron. When the unidentifiable objects outnumbered the identifiable substance of the casseroles, I retreated to the waffle iron.

Fourth Sunday After Epiphany: How Much?

Walking out of the grocery store, you hear the all-too familiar sound of metal scraping metal. Angling toward your car, you see a teenager staring at your fender. The damage is minimal but costly. When you identify yourself to the teenager, he apologizes immediately and begins to explain this incident can't go on his driving record. He has been driving only for a couple of months, and he is on probation with the insurance company. "How much will it take to make this go away?" he asks and reaches for a checkbook. Based on the sports car idling nearby, you assume he's good for the cash. Would you take the check?