In the previous post, we looked at a parable Jesus told in Matthew 18:23-35. Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “No, Peter, you need to forgive him 77 times.” In other words, “My disciples forgive without ever stopping.”…
Read MoreMonth: May 2026
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Part 1: A Prison of Our Own Making
Libby was a member of a church where I served, and over the years, we became great friends. We spent hours discussing genealogy and history. She let me hold her prized possession, a revolver that her grandfather carried in the Civil War. Libby’s favorite movie was The Shawshank Redemption, and she was insistent that I…
Read MoreThe Treasure, the Pearl, and the King
When I was young, my mom took me to the theater to see the movie, “Treasure Island.” Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s book, it was my introduction to pirates and buried treasure. I loved it. Long before there was Captain Jack Sparrow, there was Long John Silver. Sadly, most people today hear that name and…
Read MoreKeep the Faith: The Kingdom Is Growing
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I love stories. Maybe that’s why I enjoy reading. I also love telling stories, although my kids say I tend to repeat the same stories over and over. They’re wrong, of course, but for some reason, when we’re all together, and I ask, ‘Did I ever tell you…?”…
Read MoreWhere the Voice Gets Clear: The Word and the Spirit
When I was in ninth grade, I got a very cool gift that I wish I still had. It was a shortwave radio, but it also had tons of other frequencies. I could listen to police and emergency crews, air traffic controllers at a nearby airport, and broadcasts from countries all over the world. I…
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