It was announced July 26 that Sinead O’Connor has died. An artist who journeyed in her own faith, struggles and personal growth right alongside us. Her 1990 album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got was the first CD…
On women, aliens and when power usurps love
Then turning toward the woman, (Jesus) said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?” — Luke 7:44 My mother-in-law and her brother often use a repeating trope: “When the aliens come” we’ll be ready or not ready because we…
My new favorite disciple of Jesus
My favorite disciple used to be Peter. I loved how much Jesus loved and trusted him even though Peter often missed the mark, speaking and acting without remembering what Jesus taught him. Peter stepped out of the boat and sank….
Misogyny is in your church too
In the movie Talladega Nights, race car driver Ricky Bobby (played by Will Ferrell), gathers his family for a celebratory meal after a big win. Quieting the people gathered around the family dinner table, Ricky offers a prayer, a special…
Three images to remember Tyre Nichols
The video has been released. Seven officers have been terminated and five charged. The Scorpion Unit has been disbanded. Two EMTs have been terminated along with a supervisor. The district attorney says more charges may be forthcoming. The attorney for…
Mary, Our Mother (For Baptists): Blessed is she
This is the final article in a four-part Advent series. One of my children asked me the other day, “What’s the big deal about access to birth control?” My answer was, “If your mother had not had access to birth…
Mary, Our Mother (for Baptists): I don’t think that word means what you think it means
This is the third in a four-part series BNG will publish every Monday during Advent. I, like many of you, was in at least one Christmas pageant as a child growing up in the Baptist church. Sadly, I can distinctly…
Mary, Our Mother (for Baptists): Mary, did you know?
This is the second in a four-part series BNG will publish every Monday during Advent. A few years ago, I preached on the Sunday after Christmas, low attendance Sunday, a regular occurrence for an associate pastor (and a woman) like…
Mary, our mother (for Baptists): There’s something about Mary
This is the first in a four-part series BNG will publish every Monday during Advent. There’s something about Mary, the mother of Jesus, that Baptists don’t quite know what to do with. I’ve noticed we tend to avoid Mary. If…