I was reading church minutes, bored out of my mind. Not the first time, nor probably the last. Then, I wondered: Why? Why was I so disconnected from what these markers of congregational history have to say? Perhaps some of…
What the curious history of ‘Judeo-Christian’ can teach us about defeating white Christian nationalism today
The hearings conducted by the House Select Committee to investigate the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol have highlighted the powerful role that white Christian nationalism played in the attack on the Capitol. The Congressional Committee featured Trump ally…
Spiritual direction provides a path for personal healing and a way forward for the church
It’s evening, and I’m sitting at my home desk in front of a computer screen. I have a Zoom room opened up. Once again. I have been here a million times before, except this time, the lights are dim, the…
To fight against injustice, opt for unapologetic skepticism over cynicism
I earned a degree in political science, served as an officer in the U.S. Army, earned a law degree, practiced and taught law, chaired a state agency, presided as a state appellate and trial judge, and have been actively involved…
When love does not conquer all
As a teen, I dreamed of marrying someone who would be my best friend and confidante. I dreamed of someone who would make me laugh and share my joy. I dreamed of lifelong companionship, shared goals and happily ever after….
The troubled waters of sexual diversity: Willful blindness
This is the fourth in a series of articles on sexual diversity. C.S. Lewis referred to his atheism prior to his conversion to Christianity as “willful blindness.” This description undoubtedly describes my state of spiritual blindness before I began seeing…
God, bless this football game to our blood lust’s nourishment
I walked out of the stadium press box and headed down the aisle to return to my usual seat where I’d sat at least five Saturdays a year almost every autumn since 1972. A woman who appeared retirement age said:…
To whom are you listening?
The world is aware of the ongoing Congressional hearings about Jan. 6, 2021. As Christ-followers, we must be among those who watch (and pray). We cannot afford not to pay attention to what is being said and ask challenging questions…
The evil that men do
In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the Bard suggests that the memories of greatness or good someone has done fade from view far sooner than do the effects of evil done by the same person: “The evil that men do lives after…
Where’s our Good Samaritan today?
Nothing says Christianity like the story of the Good Samaritan. This story captures who we are, what we are to do and how we are to treat all others. Some people say Jesus is the Good Samaritan and we are…
Bubba-Doo’s takes flight
A buzz was in the air. There was no disputing that something unusual was happening. Although the big news involved my favorite hangout, I actually heard about it at my office rather than at the store. Bubba-Doo’s was going to…
Three fatal flaws of the Christian faith
Christianity, as we have always known it, is in trouble. I’m not just referring to declining church attendance and survey numbers that suggest fewer and fewer people are interested. Although the spiritual need within humans remains strong, people are looking…