Here’s a safe bet you won’t hear these words preached on Sunday. Even if Jesus did say them, they wouldn’t sit well for a sermon on Father’s Day. Nah, Pastors will be spouting, “Honor your dad,” those who have raised us to be good people, godly people, fathers who give so much of their life and love for their children.

Jesus, it’s like this. Some of us have to dirty our hands, pollute ourselves just to survive out here. If we don’t link up with folks who aren’t exactly saints, we get trampled on as ones who have no strength, no pull, no influence, no voice, nothing. So here’s the question: what do you bring to the table ...

When regular folks are catching the fallout from politicians wrangling over war and the economy while gas prices climb like they training for the Olympics, when your heritage is either of the oppressed or the oppressor and the inequities of society look rigged and permanent...what happens to that unity, harmony of God?

Are you like this all the time? Say one thing? Doing something else? How are we supposed to understand you, let alone believe you, when you move like that? We need a steady vibe to be able to trust you. Otherwise, following you is as chaotic and wild as any other option. We’re hunting for peace, not more problems.

He knew they had no clue what they signed up for. They weren’t exactly the honor‑roll squad, the brightest bulbs on the street. But they were teachable...

Jesus, hold up now. “IF”? That word’s loaded, layered. IF can mean something that’s conditional, or whenever, or even though, or whether (or not). I don’t think you’re asking permission in saying this, like If I may... No, you’re dropping two big things on the table: love and rules.

Dear Jesus, you said this was ok, so here it is. Ask anything in your name, and you’ll do it. Right? Cool. So here’s what I’m asking: explain this one. “No one can come to the Father except through me.” You really mean this?

Some interpretations makes God small, a spiritual dispenser of bulletproof vests. God’s not a vending machine for safety gear. God’s purposes are greater than only the immediate concerns of the day.

Instead, God…