By J. Michael Poole “Stuff” happens. This slogan (except in a less family-friendly form) originated in the movie Forrest Gump when Forrest stepped into a clump of rather disgusting canine discard, prompting him to shrug his shoulders and say, “Stuff…
Our heretical Baptist heritage
By Cody J. Sanders One thing our Baptist heritage teaches us is that sometimes heretics make the best Christians (or at least good Baptists). So it’s not surprising to hear that Baptists are still being named as heretical for being…
The quiet, indispensable work of U.S. foreign aid
By David Gushee Many of the most important public-policy choices facing the United States occur quietly and out of the spotlight. This has the benefit of making them less susceptible to demagoguery and politicking. But, conversely, it means that we…
A few words for the Class of 2010
By Marv Knox The strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” have been wafting through auditoriums, arenas and gymnasiums for several weeks now. They will echo for a while longer, as schools — from kindergarten through university — conclude the academic year…
The importance of the pastoral prayer
By Chris Caldwell Question: What’s the second-most-important thing a pastor does every Sunday? Answer? The pastoral prayer. Even so, while most pastors spend hours on sermons, many of us merely jot a few notes down for the pastoral prayer —…
When a pastor goes to church
By Amy Butler I had a free evening last week, so I decided to go to church. Though I spend quite a bit of time at church, I don’t often go to church in the way that most people think…
Alligators, prime ministers, and pennies
By Jim Denison Authorities in Gulfport, Miss., recently subdued a nearly-13-foot-long weighing 800 pounds. They used a forklift to get the beast out of the water, but first they duct-taped its massive jaws shut. (Who was the first person to…
Heroes disguised as teachers
By David Wilkinson Someday when I’m standing in one of the long lines outside the Pearly Gates awaiting admission, I won’t be a bit surprised to see a much shorter line of VIPs who are being welcomed with streamlined expediting…
British Christian leaders on the UK elections
(ABP) — With the United Kingdom’s May 6 elections ending 13 years of Labour Party rule and ushering in a government led by Prime Minister David Cameron and a coalition of his Conservative Party and the ideologically quite different Liberal…