Why Responsibility Still Matters — From Garden Jobs to Life Expectancy I needed some garden work done, but couldn’t manage it myself. The job would have taken me hours, and with arthritis I would have been in constant pain attempting it. So when three Traveller lads came to the door offering their services, I took …
The Message We Lost “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”— Matthew 11:28 “Take up your cross and follow me.”— Mark 8:34 There is a tension at the heart of Christianity: Jesus called people into an inner life of peace, simplicity, and love but the faith that emerged …
The Yoke and the Cross These two sayings of Jesus are often quoted, but rarely together. At first glance, they seem to offer contrasting visions—one light and gentle, the other demanding and harsh. But when read in the spirit of Jesus’ broader message, they speak with a shared voice. When Jesus says, “My yoke is easy,” he …
And the Invention of the Church It seems to be a fact of human nature: as soon as someone has a good idea, others want to turn it into a movement. Something simple and personal becomes complex and collective. This tendency runs contrary to the teachings of Jesus. His message was not designed for an …
Jesus Without the Church Looking at the mess the world is in, Jesus’ message is vitally important today. In fact, can’t we say that we are living in truly apocalyptic times? We do not have the threat of Roman armies, but we do have environmental threats and the threat of nuclear war. The question is: …
The Crucifixion, Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, Republic of Ireland 📜 Then Came Paul Everything changed when Paul began to write. Paul never met Jesus in person—only in a visionary encounter on the road to Damascus. And in his letters, we see Christ undergo a dramatic evolution. Paul rarely speaks of Jesus’ earthly life. …
There’s something deep in all of us that craves belonging. You see it not just in humans, but in animals too. Most mammals are born entirely dependent—needing their parent for food, warmth, and safety. But they also need emotional connection. That early bond, especially in humans, shapes more than how we behave—it shapes how we …
📜 Then Came Paul Everything changed when Paul began to write. Paul never met Jesus in person—only in a visionary encounter on the road to Damascus. And in his letters, we see Christ undergo a dramatic evolution. Paul rarely speaks of Jesus’ earthly life. Instead, he writes of: Christ the Redeemer – “Christ died for …
—and Why That’s a Problem Most of us want someone to lead us. It seems to be part of how humans are wired. We look for a figure—someone strong, confident, and certain—who can tell us what to believe, how to act, and what it all means. That desire makes sense, especially in confusing or difficult …
Power, Charisma, and Collapse in the Modern Cult We’ve seen it again and again—groups that start with high ideals, breakaway visions, and passionate leaders. They offer a way out: from corruption, from loneliness, from spiritual emptiness. They promise a new world, built on love, community, or truth. But one by one, they fall. Waco. Jonestown. …