Blog

Paul sees idleness as a threat: He cautions the Thessalonians to keep away from those believers who are living in idleness. “Idle Hands” by Will Barnet 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 November 16, 2025 Dr. Todd R. Wright Ninety years ago, in 1935, Bertrand Russell wrote an essay, “In Praise of Idleness”. In it he argues against the glorification of work and for a four-hour workday. (Can you imagine?) He believed less work would mean more time for leisure, creativity, and reflection.

I wonder if Zacchaeus was weary of the tangle of his life. I wonder if he was stung by his neighbors’ low opinion of him, their hostile whispers. [1] “Zacchaeus” by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman, A Sanctified Art, LLC Luke 19:1-10 November 9, 2025 Dr. Todd R. Wright We all know the story of Zacchaeus, thanks to a song many of us learned as children. The basic facts of the story are simple: Zacchaeus, a tax collector, climbs a tree to see Jesus. Jesus notices him and invites hims

Luke indicates that Jesus grew up poor. When he was presented at the Temple, the offering his parents gave – two young pigeons – was what people gave if they couldn’t afford a lamb. Luke 6:20-31 November 2, 2025 Dr. Todd R. Wright “Blessed are you who are poor…” – that’s how Jesus starts. Well, actually, to begin, he spent a night on a mountaintop praying. When dawn came, he chose twelve people from among the disciples who had been following him, and named them apostles – sen

...we believe in the possibility of change and in the necessity of reform, not just of institutions, but of people – because churches, schools, businesses, and governments are made up of people – and as they change, the institutions they create and sustain, change too. [1] by Nelly Bube of Kazakhstan Joel 2:23-32 and Luke 18:9-14 October 26, 2025 Dr. Todd R. Wright Can people change? It’s an important question to be asking on Reformation Sunday – the day when Presbyterians al