I count myself lucky that I was not further north for my Thanksgiving road trip; 1,500 miles was quite enough with three kids and no snow. While they were watching the Star Wars movies in order in anticipation of episode IX later this month, I was attuned to how little daylight we had for them to even see something out the window. Add a rainy day…
If you ever go to a bookstore and look at the Bible section, you'll be surprised by the vast number of translations – NIV, KJV, NLT, CSB, ESV, NKJV, NRSV, NASB — just to name a few. And if you’re new to Christianity, it may feel bewildering. It could even make you doubt the trustworthiness of the Bible. You say, "If there are so many…
As we watch the leaves descend, we do not tell them to stop on their way down. We do not cushion their fall. We may try to catch a few. If enough leaves have fallen we may wish the rest would hurry down in order to make raking a one-time event. In other words, we speak very differently about leaves falling than we do about…
I occasionally come across people who say that all religions are true. They claim that God is like a mountain with many roads to the top. It doesn’t matter which road you take as long as you love others and treat them with respect. However, there is a logical problem with this idea. Jesus clearly claimed to be the only way to God. He said,…
“It’s okay to be scared. You can only be brave if you are scared first.” These words rolled easily off my tongue in counseling a kindergartener as she contemplated going down the pole on the playground. The stakes were low, she wanted to be brave, and I knew the words to be true. What I didn’t realize is how important bravery might be in this…
I’m convinced that every single person comes into the world with a God-shaped hole in his or her heart. We have a longing for meaning, purpose, and significance. Therefore, we go through life trying to find something that will fill the void within us. Some people tried to fill the hole with pleasure. They dedicate themselves to sex or drugs. They look for the latest…
Friday the 13th had a full moon. What a great reminder that we are not in control; two eerie signs, especially for the superstitious, that the natural world itself has a dark side. This particular full moon marks the middle of the Hebrew month of Elul, the month of preparation for the Jewish High Holy Days. In two more weeks, as the moon wanes to…
My wife is a professional modern dancer who works with a company in Philadelphia called KYL/D. A few years ago, they did a piece called the “Faith Project,” which looked at the connection between religion and movement. As part of their process, they hosted “story circles” where the dancers could discuss their diverse religious views (from Christian to atheist). But they also heard from faith…
Darkness, sadness, and a seemingly unending journey through painful events recounting death, destruction, and doom. Watching the evening news or browsing your phone’s news feed too often feel just like that. Catastrophe is fast becoming the daily grind. It goes without saying that we cannot let ourselves become desensitized, let alone immune or complacent. Today’s date on the Jewish calendar is a strong reminder how…
One thing I love about music is the close connection between theory and practice. If someone claims to be an expert in classical violin, people expect him or her to be able to play. But imagine if he says, “I’ve watched tons of videos on YouTube and read all the most important books about violin technique. Therefore, I’m an expert!” I think most people would…
It is Visiting Day at camp. In keeping with a decades old tradition in the American Jewish community, my older children are at a Jewish sleepaway camp nestled in the mountains. In the idyllic environments built by different organizations and owners, nature is just an excuse for where God really shows up, in community. To be clear, I failed as a Jewish summer camper. I…