Ask me what my superpower is and I’ll answer with no hesitation: It is gratitude. I have a rich spiritual life supported by many practices including labyrinth-walking, prayer, Scripture memorization, active participation in my faith community, and meditation — especially…
Upside Down Advent: Unloved versus loved
Editor’s note: This column includes strong language near the end that may be offensive to some readers. Of all the four themes of Advent, love is the one that seemingly ties a bow around the others — both positively…
Kirk Cameron’s Growing Pains vs Al Mohler’s Arrested Development
I laughed to keep from crying as I read Al Mohler’s response to Kirk Cameron’s recent podcast in which he discussed the doctrine of hell. Annhilationism is the notion that hell is not a place of eternal conscious torment for…
What’s behind Denhollander’s apparent conflicts of interest?
Conflicts of interest are a bear, and sooner or later, the bear almost always bites. Three years ago, I wrote a mild-mannered column raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest issue involving Rachael Denhollander’s abuse-related work within the Southern…
A stay of execution isn’t a ‘delay’
Georgia’s decision this week to pause the scheduled execution of Stacey Ian Humphreys is being framed in some corners as a last-minute disruption. That framing is wrong and dangerous. A stay of execution, especially when tied to active litigation and…
A surprising elevator music Christmas prayer for peace
Not to rush the season or anything — the box stores, television ads and social media feeds have done that — but I want to call attention to a Christmas song you’ve probably already heard this year. It’s part of…
The church should be more like Ms. Rachel
The recent anniversary of the adoption of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child on Nov. 20 begs the question: How can the church faithfully live out the calls of World Children’s Day while the war in Gaza…
Trump is who he is; who are you?
America must stop pretending this is about Donald J. Trump. Trump is Trump. Historically, socially, morally, financially and ethically, he already has revealed himself to the nation and the world. Without exaggeration, he stands as the most socially corrosive president…
Blue Christmas isn’t just for Elvis
My understanding of Blue Christmas has changed over the years. Growing up, the only version of “Blue Christmas” I knew was the one that involved holding a wooden spoon up to my lips and crooning along to Elvis in front…
The power of story
I was raised on stories. I don’t remember a time when stories were not present in my world. Stories were a foundation for my heart long before I knew what that meant and that has followed me all my life….
An Advent call for advocacy for our Burmese brothers and sisters
When entered into faithfully, Advent is a frustratingly wonderful season of awkwardly waiting for God to act on the promises God has made. Advent is a season firmly planted in kairos time, yet it requires an annual examination of chronos…
Letters to Mary: Women have creative power
Advent shows us something about power that the palace always forgets. Real strength doesn’t powder its face with contempt. The authority that spoke galaxies into being entered the world through a woman’s body and trusted her to say yes. — Derek…