In 1998, high-definition television (or HDTV) was introduced to the entire United States when astronaut John Glenn returned to space on board the Space Shuttle Discovery. Although a few local station networks had been using HD for their television transmissions since 1996 in the U.S., the Discovery mission coverage marked the first time that high definition transmissions were broadcast coast-to-coast. A few years later, the manufacture of traditional television systems had

In the early 2000s, CBS produced a television show called Joan of Arcadia. Lasting two seasons, the show depicted a teenager, Joan (played by Amber Tamblyn), who regularly encountered God. God would often show up as different people and converse with Joan, giving her “missions” to complete that helped people in her neighborhood or school. In the first episode, Joan, doubting that she is actually talking to God (this time, being portrayed by a teenaged boy), asks God to sho

I had a seminary professor, Laurence Hull Stookey, who challenged the notion that “Every Sunday is a Little Easter,” an ecclesiastical and theological statement that many aspiring pastors are often taught. He supported the idea that every worship service should proclaim God’s grace, but he would often ask, “If every Sunday is a Little Easter, what does that make Easter Sunday?”

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

On November 30, we enter into a 4-week season in the Christian year we call Advent. Advent is a word that means a “coming into view” or “arrival.” Advent in the Christian year is meant to be a time of preparation for Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ birth. While we prepare for the joyous celebration of Christmas, we need to remind ourselves that preparation can be spiritual as well as practical. Family and personal traditions may need to be planned in order to celebrate t