Christian Thoughts about Our (American) New National Holiday: Halloween Of course, it’s not really a “national holiday” in any formal or legal sense; schools, banks and government offices don’t close on October 31.
Is CBF allergic to “contemporary” worship?
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), young adults, “contemporary” worship, progressive theology, and “nice” Christians—let’s talk about it. To begin, I guess you, as the reader, should know I’m a 27-year-old, white male in full time ministry, and some of my closest…
The music of mourning: This one thing I know
That which you call Baltimore will always be Bawlamer to me
Is it funny, sad, crazy, or criminal when I experience what happened in Ferguson, New York, and North Charleston—among other places—that I have a restrained dimension of response? When it happens in Bawlamer my emotions run much deeper. My sense…
Not all RFRAs are created equal: What’s different about Indiana’s controversial law
Move over, Gene Hackman. Indiana is becoming known for a lot more than just Hoosier’s basketball. After the state passed a law purported to restore “religious freedom,” it was met with crushing criticism from those who believe the law grants…
The death of god (or 5 ways to make people mad on the Internet)
Let’s be honest, blogging is sexy. Like an aphrodisiacal wine, crackling fire or bearskin rug, few things bring our raw and inchoate emotions to a startling head quite like a breathless 750-word epitaph elucidating the grizzly details of parenthood and/or…
Don’t skip Friday
“Daddy.” “Yes, Jackson?” “Is it Sunday yet?” “No, Jackson, it’s not Sunday.” *Slightly agitated* “Yes, Daddy, it’s Sunday. It is Sunday!” “Huh?” *processing* Oh. I guess I made a mistake. It happened only a day before. In an attempt to…
This Lent, try using the ‘F’ word more
I don’t always use the “F” word, but when I do, it frequently happens to be Lent. What I like most about using the “F” word is that it has so many different meanings, connotations and contexts to it. It…
Dean Smith: A remembrance
I once preached in the Chapel Hill, N.C., church where legendary basketball coach Dean Smith was a member. Smith, who died this week, was not expected to be there that morning, since his University of Carolina team had a road…
Epiphany: why Jesus talked about children and we should too
Epiphany and the path to common ground I learned about the season of Epiphany from the book of Daily Office Bible readings I stole from the Episcopalians some thirty years ago. First, I wondered why the advent readings focused on…
The greatest gift (Part 5 in the series, God moved into the neighborhood)
Think for a minute with me about the greatest gift you’ve ever received. What was it? When I was a freshman in high school I received a ball signed by the 1996-97 Jayhawks. As a huge Kansas Basketball fan, that…
Four New Year’s resolutions for every small town church
The time of the year for New Year’s resolutions has come. Most people make resolutions and end up breaking them quickly. Whether kept or not, the habit of New Year’s resolutions in our culture speaks to humanity’s desire for new…