The Prodigal Returns: Love your Neighbor Close to Home

The old man had an attitude before I even showed up. By the time he got in my car, he had more than choice words for me and everyone else he would encounter that morning. I should set my alarm earlier. His place to live had problems. And if it weren’t for me, maybe...

Zacchaeus is Listening: Love your Neighbor Close to Home

His small heart grew three sizes that day. Then the true meaning of Christmas came through; and Zacchaeus… I mean the Grinch… found the strength of ten Grinches plus two. It isn’t Dr. Suess. It’s the story of a man who had taken everything from the townspeople, and...

Lazarus is at our Gate: Love your Neighbor Close to Home

A downtown business owner texted in a panic after encountering a young girl sleeping in a car near her shop. “I could not drive away without checking on her and introducing myself,” she wrote. “I just needed to tell you about her because I know its gonna start to get...

This Advent Season: Love your Neighbor Close to Home

Dear friend, There was a time in my life that I imagined God would call me across an ocean. I would become a missionary in sub-Saharan Africa, be imbedded as an investigative journalist in the Middle East, or build community with the Mayan Indians in South America....

A year of Hesed

It poured rain on the morning that the downtown churches gathered in the parking lot of 1901 Augustine Ave. to bless the newly renovated 1950s-style hotel, now called Hesed House.  Songs were sung. Prayers were spoken. Room decorations were admired. And blessings...