Peter is perhaps one of the most well-known of the disciples. We certainly hear a lot about him in the gospel accounts as well as in the book of Acts. He is, in many ways, the de facto leader of the group. Some theorize that Peter was the oldest of the disciples, giving him a sort of natural authority. Even without this, however, we see him making decisions for the group and taking that position.

My kids and I went to see the movie "Hoppers" over Spring Break. If you are unfamiliar with this latest Pixar movie, it's kind of like "Avatar," but in a kid-friendly, funny way. Some really smart people find a way to send their consciousness into an avatar of a beaver and infiltrate the animal kingdom as one of their own. Mabel, an environmentally-minded college student, hijacks the system for her own strategic purposes, putting herself into the beaver avatar.

One of my most precious memories of my boys is when we brought my youngest home from the hospital. My older son, who was almost three at the time, started talking in the back seat to the new baby. He said, "Hi, Baby Brother. I'm your Big Brother. You're so cute!" And other such sweetness all the way home.

Today I am contemplating the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19.

In Mark 10:25, Jesus says, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. The disciples found the statement shocking. They asked themselves, Who then can be saved?

I have heard it said many times that the God of the Old Testament was one of vengeance, but the God of the New Testament is one of mercy. Many people struggle with these two seemingly opposite depictions of God. His very character comes into question. How could the same God who said, 'love your enemies' and 'turn the other cheek' also have commanded violence against other nations, including their infants and children?

It is often taught in Christian churches that Paul was the one who expanded the Christian movement beyond Judaism and to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). While there is definitely some truth to this, it fails to recognize something really important that we find in the Old Testament.

I talk a lot on this blog about how Christianity in the United States has been infiltrated by white supremacy and Christian nationalism. Today there's another influence I want to focus on: the "American way."

My two boys would probably be embarrassed to know I am sharing this story...  Thing is, they like to sleep with a light on. Personally, I need it to be dark to sleep, but they have always wanted a night light... or two or three. Currently, they use a projector that casts stars on the ceiling of their room. Well, last week it died, so I got a new one online. I didn't realize it was fancier than their old one until it arrived. Not only did it cast stars, but also an array of colorful light. And, it plays music.

Reading the headlines nowadays, it’s so depressing, isn’t it? I hope it’s not just me. Seems like every day - multiple times a day - we’re hit with something.

Growing up, I had several teachers in school who talked about America as the "great melting pot." America, where immigrants were welcome. America, where our diversity made us beautiful.

This has been a tough week.