By R. Kevin Johnson During Advent, we revisited the message of the prophets who told of the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of humankind. During the Christmas season, we joined with Christians around the world to celebrate the birth…
Finding the holy in Amish country
By Amy Butler In the middle of everyday life, how do we experience the holy? This was a question I’ve been pondering since a recent road trip to the quaint little town of Lancaster, Pa. I set out to…
Economy-driven worship?
By Bob Burroughs We are experiencing unprecedented times of financial strain. Everyone, every family, every business, every church is having difficulty meeting budget and/or making ends meet. People are being laid off by the thousands — with no end in…
On fornication, is the standard or love most important?
By Leah Jackson Stacy was in love. Her heart belonged to Ray. Both were Christians and tried to live a celibate life. She was the leader of the dance ministry and a faithful member of her church. Sunday worship, Tuesday…
Herman Cain and Joe Paterno
By Jim Denison In October, Joe Paterno was the most revered coach in college football. In November, he is unemployed. In October, Herman Cain was the Republican frontrunner. In November, he is fighting for his political life. Paterno was head…
A new angle on Advent
By Ken Sehested Reformation Sunday generally has a hard time competing with Halloween — except, maybe, for our Lutheran friends. Six years before Luther commenced his Ninety-Five Theses’ complaint with the Roman church, an earlier but lesser-known reform movement took…
The tired arms of ministers
By Bill Wilson A friend recently shared a daily devotion that pointed out the story in Exodus 17 regarding Moses’ arms. Remember? As long as Moses held his staff with his arms aloft, the Israelites prevailed in their battle with…
Separate and unequal
By Bill Leonard When Jim Crow segregation laws ruled the American South, their classic defense lay in the phrase, “Separate but Equal,” meaning that while the races were divided, their facilities and services were supposedly the same. Of course everybody…
Trust the people
By Mike Smith Few words spark more immediate anxiety in a pastor than, “Preacher, we’ve found a great book, and we’re going to get a group together and teach it.” This came home when two women informed me they were…