by Rich Hansen | Aug 24, 2020 | Provocative Questions
Who dares to be meek today? It’s not the meek (those who work quietly and diligently), but those who promote themselves who get the best jobs. It’s not the meek, but the loud and aggressive who command attention by being pushy, outlandish or controversial who rise to...
by Rich Hansen | Aug 18, 2020 | Provocative Questions
It is an understatement to say that these are difficult days for many in America and around the world. Recently I thought of the Beatitudes against the background of chaos disrupting lives, societies, nations: poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst for...
by Rich Hansen | Aug 4, 2020 | Provocative Questions
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in...
by Rich Hansen | Jul 14, 2020 | Provocative Questions
“My personal belief is, I have faith in God,” he said. “If God wants me to get Covid, I’ll get Covid. And if God doesn’t want me to get Covid, I won’t.” This is the statement made by one pastor living in the tension of following public health guidelines vs satisfying...
by Rich Hansen | Jul 1, 2020 | Provocative Questions
Today I offer my final reflection on John 15, using biblical commentator Dale Bruner’s new translation of “stay at home with Jesus” for “abide with me.” John 15 offers many great promises of “staying at home” (abiding) with Jesus, but...
by Rich Hansen | Jun 28, 2020 | Provocative Questions
Joy is a strange topic for this moment. Nothing is joyful today: an escalating pandemic in many states, an ever-expanding death toll (120,000 Americans and growing) and protests forcing racism into our national consciousness. Yet this is the perfect time to think...
