Have I told you the story of the funeral I officiated for a 93-year-old woman who had been a faithful member of a Baptist church all her life but had no relation to a church or a minister to lead…
(How) do you baptize a bot?
This is the final column written by David Ramsey before his untimely death Dec. 11. This submission was sent to BNG on Dec. 9, less than 48 hours before his death. See the related obituary also published today. In…
Six reasons why the ‘family of God’ is more inclusive than we have thought
I remember when missionary colleagues, just returned from their home leave in Oklahoma, introduced the Bill and Gloria Gaither gospel hymn “The Family of God” to our gathered Baptist personnel in Indonesia. Over the years, the song became so deeply…
How I am believing in the Christmas story this year
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23) It is a commonplace observation of mainstream historical-critical New Testament scholars…
On student loan debt forgiveness, let us pray as our Savior taught us
I am one of the more than 40 million Americans eligible for President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. I am also one of the 16 million Americans approved to participate in the program who may never receive the forgiveness…
‘Remember those who spoke the word of God to you’
You would expect a guy named “Lacoste” to wear Izod, and he did. But it was his Friday tennis ties I remember most about Lacoste Munn. Those ties signaled the end of another week and the anticipation of our Friday…
Reflections on life in the ninth inning
No doubt, you’ve heard the legend about Yogi Berra, the famous baseball player who commented on the end of a baseball game: “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings.” It seems Yogi had been to an opera or two…
A case for why Mary didn’t know
I have appreciated the recent writing of Julia Goldie Day. She speaks wise words, especially for the voiceless, the oppressed, those marginalized by our society. I read with interest her recent post about the now-popular Christmas song “Mary, Did You…
Celebrating Christmas with extravagant joy
A few years back, Catherine bought me a T-shirt that says, “In a world of Grinches, be a Griswold!” I love Christmas. I am a Griswold. I go all out with decorations, both outside and inside. I just put up…
‘Everybody’s doing it’: United Methodists ignoring their own rules as break-up continues
I am utterly spent and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. — Psalm 38:8 Church politics, like all politics, creates noble achievements and underhanded dealings. As the year draws to a close, United Methodists find themselves…
That time I was suddenly responsible for getting nine migrants through security at DFW Airport
Even though I graduated from both high school and college in New Mexico, my Spanish is pretty bad. But I understood clearly what Pastor Isabel Marquez was telling the 52 migrants gathered in a small room at Oak Lawn United…
The Advent witness of Rosa Parks, Ita Ford, Alfred Delp and Antonio de Montesinos
Invocation — The Whole World Is Waiting, Kate Hurley The whole world is waiting, The whole world cries. The whole world is waiting For our hope to shine. For you sweet Jesus Will make all things right. The whole world…