Is it just me, or does it increasingly seem many people are living in an alternate reality? People of all political stripes seemingly ignore irrefutable facts, and make up their own truths. This new cultural habit of ignoring facts en…
If I was God, Christmas would be different
We had to take our baby to the hospital this past week. He was having trouble breathing in the middle of the night so we took him to the emergency room at 3 a.m. The doctors at the local hospital…
Embracing doubt for the sake of the Great Commission
I was at a denominational conference this week and heard a speaker say plainly, and at times quite forcefully, that there is no room for doubt in the Christian faith, that serious Christians should have pre-packaged and ready-made answers for…
High school debates and the U.S. election: students acting like grown-ups, grown-ups acting like kids
When I was in high school I joined the debate team. Up to that point I hadn’t been very good at many other things, but in debate I placed in the first tournament in which I ever competed — the…
Creating our own American hell
In the last several days, I have watched yet more police shootings, with compelling video evidence that the use of such force was highly unjustified. I watched a United States senator handily dismantle a Wall Street banker (in a hearing…
What judgmental Christians and playboy Olympic swimmers have in common
When we allow judgmental individuals to set the ministry agenda in our churches, or dominate the air-time of our congregational energy, we surrender the church’s ability to be a conduit of God’s grace in the world. We put grace on the backburner.
Hillary Clinton interviews with a pastor search committee
First off, let me say how honored I am to finally be your candidate. Truthfully, I’ve been eyeing this position for years. In fact, my lifelong goal has been to become your pastor. As Paul says, “I’ve kept my eye…
Donald Trump interviews with a pastor search committee
I’m so on your side. I’m a tremendous pastor. When I’m your pastor, we’ll be winning again. That’s the problem with churches. We’re not winning anymore.
A call for renewed servant leadership at Baylor
A 1996 song by Paula Cole states: Where is my John Wayne? Where is my prairie song? Where is my happy ending? Where have all the cowboys gone? Now that I’ve got that tune stuck in your head, as I…