The world was in chaos. I stood before a huge crowd. There were only seconds to go before it was time for me to speak. I stepped up to the bullhorn. I spoke as passionately as I ever have. Victims…
Less spiritual discipline, more spiritual being
God is never more distant than when talk of spiritual disciplines arises. Darkness touched every crevice of the room. We had come to have an experience with God. This was our weekend. Spiritual discipline weekends were common in the world…
God isn’t the cure
There was an old white Mitsubishi television in the corner of our kitchen. Dad gave it to Mom one Christmas. Despite the efforts of my teacher to keep my attention, I dreamed of that television all day long. Once the…
My flock: what chickens taught me about the real church
We’re never able to find underwear for our children. Truthfully, even if we bought a couple hundred pair, they’d still find places to hide. When the unthinkable happens and two clean pair of underwear surface, we lift our heads to…
Fifty years after the death of God: Learning to kill
Fifty years have passed since Time magazine asked the question, “Is God Dead?” on its infamous April 8, 1966, cover. I was browsing through a history book when I saw the red and black cover for the first time. Ferociously searching online, I found the accompanying article, “Toward a Hidden God.” My theology would never be the same.
Power in the blood: a Holy Week execution
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. We sang it over and over. As the organ played, fear kept creeping in. The night before, my…
Repent and follow Jesus: A plea for radicalism
By Jeff Hood “With every head bowed and every eye closed ….” I peeked. “Who would like to ask Jesus to be their personal savior and start walking with him tonight? Raise your hand and live forever!” I used one…
The great deceiver
By Jeff Hood Fear was a consistent companion. Sleep was elusive. Terror regularly stopped by. The Tribulation Trail was a haunted walk through an interpretation of the Book of Revelation hosted by a church across town. Our annual visit always…
Stop going to church
By Jeff Hood There was an expansive agricultural nursery across the street from the large Southern Baptist church I grew up in. Each Sunday, everyone who attended our fundamentalist church had to drive by the Jewish family who owned it…