Author: Bode
The First Time
On Sunday evening, ABC aired the 93rd Annual Academy Award ceremonies. This year’s presentation was different. Presenters, nominees and the audience maintained social distancing. Interviewers on the red carpet remained a safe distance from the celebrities who stopped by their microphones. Since the show has been without hosts since 2018, its producers have come up… Continue Reading The First Time
A Time to Heal
Last Thursday I learned that the trial phase of the case against Derek Chauvin was ending. Closing arguments were scheduled for Monday, with jury deliberation to follow. Over the weekend, I thought about the possible outcomes of the trial. I began to pray that justice would prevail. And I also had doubts. My perception was… Continue Reading A Time to Heal
The Flock is still in Need
One of my favorite passages to preach on after Easter is John 21. The opening verse tells us that Jesus appeared to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. Once again they were fishing. As I reflect on this passage, I wonder why Peter had gone back to being a fisherman. Was he doing this… Continue Reading The Flock is still in Need
And Now for Something Completely Different
Growing up, I used to watch Monty Python, a British comedy group that was very popular. Their shows were aired on PBS and many of the sketches are classic comedy. In 1971, the comedy troupe created a movie called: And Now For Something Completely Different. I have used this phrase to introduce a couple of… Continue Reading And Now for Something Completely Different
Easter is Coming
We are about to relive the most anguishing moments in our Savior’s life. Maundy Thursday is still the night that I wish hadn’t occurred. The celebration of that particular Seder meal had to be bittersweet for Jesus and the disciples. This is the night that Hebrews celebrated each year, commemorating the promise that God made… Continue Reading Easter is Coming
Six Degrees
This is one of those theories that defy explanation. Like many people in the latter part of the 20th century, I played a game version of the idea known as Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. My friends and I would try to connect other actors to this very prolific star. I believe the game could… Continue Reading Six Degrees
More Puzzle Pieces
The first time I came to Grand Rapids was nearly twenty years ago. At the time I was on the faculty at Wayne State University Medical School. I was taking Hebrew so I could read some of the Old Testament verses in their original language. That’s when I heard about the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit… Continue Reading More Puzzle Pieces
We’ve Come This Far by Faith
It is difficult to believe that we have been living with a pandemic for an entire year now. I spent those first few days rethinking how I would spend my Sabbath day. Before the pandemic, I often went to the movies or had lunch at Barnes and Noble, sampling a book or two while I… Continue Reading We’ve Come This Far by Faith
Soul Reset
In 2019, at the School for Pastoral Ministry, attendees were invited to begin reflecting on the theme for this annual session: “Streams of Healing Water.” The speakers for our time of gathering were Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Chief Connectional Officer of the Connectional Table, and Rev. Junius B. Dotson, General Secretary and CEO of Discipleship Ministries. … Continue Reading Soul Reset
For Everything There is a Season
On Monday night, I watched a special broadcast on CNN which was a tribute to the people who have lost their lives to COVID. The program was only an hour long. Prayers were offered by Archbishop Wilton Gregory, and Rabbi Anne Brener during the segment I watched. Family members shared stories of someone they lost… Continue Reading For Everything There is a Season