Jesus Wept My nickname as a child was brenda-bawl-baby-nuss. My middle name is Jo, but bawl-baby prevailed. Often when caught in a crying-fit, usually at the dinner table, my dad would sing out: "Bawl-baby, Brenda. Bawl-baby, Brenda." Perhaps this was a father's misguided attempt to humor me into a state of calmness. It never worked.... Continue Reading →
Genuine Love
I've discovered that much of 1 John is easy enough to translate from the Greek into English, yet I find his message a bit more perplexing than I expected. Note: I've included my own translations below but reference links to NRSV. We are familiar with John’s assertion that "God is Love" (4:8). I still remember my... Continue Reading →
Immanuel: God With Us!
One of my favorite verses is found in Matthew's Gospel: “Lo, I am with you always!” I’ve clung to that promise from my childhood onward. I bought the small plaque (pictured above) with the verse in German when living in Nebraska nearly 20 years ago. It now hangs in my sewing studio often reminding me... Continue Reading →