Similarly, the spirit also helps us out in our weakness. For example, we don’t know beans about praying, but the Spirit himself speaks up for our unexpressed concerns. And he who x-rays our hearts understands the Spirit’s approach, since the…
Faces at the bottom of the well
Luke 9:28-36 “How does it feel to be a problem?” My third grade student, Chloe, asked me this question (quite aggressively, I might add) as I was lecturing her about paying attention in my class. I was a bit startled…
‘The G.O.P. created Donald Trump’
Thus read the headline in the New York Times opinion piece bemoaning the rise of the current Republican frontrunner for the presidency. The article was spot-on to an extent, with its discussion of Donald Trump’s success coming in part as…
Lessons from storms past and present
Early this morning, I drove north on Scenic Highway, one of the most beautiful coastal drives in America. And yet, as the sunrise glistened over Escambia Bay, the picturesque Florida scenery was scarred by nature’s whim. Stately oaks were uprooted,…
The invisible fanny pack of male pastor privilege
In my Sixth Sense voice: “I see fanny packs.” Peggy McIntosh saw a knapsack in 1989. First appearing in Peace and Freedom Magazine, her now famous article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” included a list of white privileges or…
A recently revealed truth
Recently, Candyce Leonard brought to my attention a passage from John Cheever’s novel, Falconer, in which the narrator says of Farragut, the main character: “Food was a recently revealed truth in his life. He had reasoned that the Holy Eucharist…
The way seminary should be
When I entered as a full-time master of divinity student at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary) some 13 years ago, I was a dying breed. I was a 20-something who was able to commit to the standard…
When Ash Wednesday isn’t what you expect
Last week I received several expressions of gratitude for making myself available to impose ashes at two Ash Wednesday services. People said the kindest things, like: “I know you have so very much on your plate. Thank you for taking…
When Ash Wednesday isn’t what you expect
By Amy Butler Last week I received several expressions of gratitude for making myself available to impose ashes at two Ash Wednesday services. People said the kindest things, like: “I know you have so very much on your plate. Thank…
Church leadership lessons from Disney World
Sometimes as church leaders we run across ideas that, once heard, seem so self-evident that we wonder why we never thought of that before. One of those “aha!” moments appeared on a recent visit to Walt Disney World. Yes, there…
Springsteen and Lent, part 4: ‘Hungry Heart’
I had the privilege of participating in a nearly 35-year-old tradition two weeks ago. On Feb. 18, along with a few thousand people, I sang the opening verse and chorus of “Hungry Heart” at Bruce Springsteen’s stop in Atlanta while…
Springsteen and Lent, part 3: Fear and love
I was reminded a few months ago when I visited Ginter Park Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., of the numerous scriptures in which the phrase “Fear not” appears. Some counts suggest that phrase and similar phrases appear 365 times — one…