The two women in the photo are the same person, their lives separated by 1,300 miles, eleven years and a vale of tears. Brenda Heist, 43, pictured on the left, walked away, literally hitchhiked, from her life near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, eleven years ago. Family members and friends never saw her again. In time she was declared dead. Brenda Heist, 54, pictured on the right, walked into a police station in Key Largo, Florida, one week ago, still alive and badly broken by the eleven years in the far country. Continue reading →

One the saints of our congregation died this week. Betty was 98. The psalmist reckoned 80 to be a long life; Betty lived longer. By all measures, Betty lived not only a long life, but a good life. She will be missed by all who knew her – her three daughters and their families, the residents and staff at her retirement community and the members of her church.

I knew Betty for only five years. But twenty-some years ago when she was reaching the biblical definition of old age, Betty wrote a brief autobiography and gave a copy to each of her daughters. I have been able to read one of the copies and have come to love Betty all the more. Indeed, her life was long and good, and as long as it was, it was better than it was long. Continue reading →

I am back from twelve renewing and revitalizing days in California visiting friends and family and attending the West Coast Presbyterian Pastors Conference as I do eight days after Easter most years.

I told you before I left about the “log in” tradition at the conference. The first night together we are asked to summarize the previous year in our lives using just one word (and a two minute explanation). I also asked any of you who might be willing to do so to share your word with me – and part of the deal was that I would then share my word with you. Around 25 of you took me up on my offer and each word, each a treasured gift. Continue reading →

I leave tomorrow for what will seem like a whirlwind tour of the entire state of California. First stop is the Los Angeles area in Southern California. I’ll spend the weekend with our former Princeton Seminary Interns, Jonathan and Kristy LaBarge, now co-pastors of Canoga Park Presbyterian Church. It will be my privilege to preach from their pulpit on Sunday and my honor to bring the waters of baptism to their eight-month old son Caleb. And to just spend some good time with good friends. Continue reading →

We will hear Luke’s account of Easter as we worship together Sunday. Luke 24 is an all-day account. It begins with the women going to the tomb at early dawn and ends after dinner back in the upper room. We will hear as the men of the disciple band consider the women’s story of an empty tomb and an angel message that “He is not here, he has risen” to be an idle tale. And we will watch and listen in as a disciple named Cleopas and his friend decide to leave Jerusalem, get out of town, return to a normal that will never be normal again. They are discouraged and speak of lost hope to a stranger they encounter along the way.

You may want to read Luke’s morning to evening account of that first Easter. Continue reading →