What distinguishes us from the rest of the world? We are certainly no brighter and no better looking. What is there that distinguishes us from the folks at home in their pajamas on Sunday morning? Just one thing – the presence of God. And that makes all the difference.
Henri Nouwen says, “We live absurd lives.” Surd, Nouwen says, is from the Latin word for “deaf.” He says: “A spiritual discipline is necessary to move from an absurd to an obedient life--a life in which there is some space where we can listen to our God.”
One of the remarkable things about the Bible is that in spite of its highly patriarchal character, we can find many, many examples of strong women. They are not passive, demure, timid and submissive, but active, bold, fearless and assertive.
We can learn much about Moses from his obituary. “There has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face.... ” What a fitting tribute to one of the greatest leaders in the Bible!
One day, Tony Campolo asked his students, “What do you suppose Jesus would have said to a prostitute?” One of his students answered, “Jesus never met a prostitute.”