Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Last Part: What Have We Learned about Being Happy? Someone once said that if we can’t attain to virtue, at least we can admire it. OK, maybe I made that up, which is something that others, especially Joanne (my wife) have accused me of doing. But that doesn’t make the saying...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 9b: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Once upon a time there was a stunningly lame song, the chorus of which began, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” I am profoundly sorry to any of you who now...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 9a: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. In my years as a hipster, I and my long-haired friends were fond of the saying, “Peace is not the destination, peace is the way.” Never mind that we didn’t really have any idea what that meant;...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 8a: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. As a young boy I generally and genuinely enjoyed going to church and Sunday school. Besides being attracted to the weekly Scripture readings, I was also fascinated by some of the illustrations of theological, anthropological, and soteriological issues...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 7b: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Last week we considered the fact that, when God answers the question, “Who are You?” his self-descriptive disclosure is this: The Lord, the Lord; God gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness … From...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 5: Blessed are the meek; they shall inherit the earth. OK, let’s get this out of the way. When I am driving behind you on a two-lane, double yellow line road and you are poking along at five miles per hour over the speed limit OR LOWER, I am not...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 4: Blessed are those who mourn; they shall be comforted. If we know anything about Jesus, it is that his simple sayings never are. The Beatitudes are no exception. Each statement prompts questions that beget more questions until we have a whole noisy clan of them begging for our attention....... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 3: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God “Popularity is when other people like you. Happiness is when you like yourself.” – Michael Murdock, “You were born to win; you were born for greatness, you were created to be a champion in life” (Joel...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 2 Thirty years ago a famous (or infamous, as you might prefer) author penned a highly (alas) influential commentary that he called The Be (Happy) Attitudes. Even from the title, you can infer the kind of content you were likely to encounter if you were brave enough to read the book....... Read More