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…
Lessons from a suicide letter
Yesterday, 17-year-old Leelah Alcorn killed herself. She was a transgender girl who walked out in front of a semi-truck. After reading the suicide letter she left behind on Tumblr, I felt like I had to do something.
Love’s detour
“And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road” (Matthew 2:12). What would a Christmas pageant be without the three Wise Men?
Who do you want to be? (Part 4 in the series, God moved into the neighborhood)
If you spend much time listening closely to modern pop music you will quickly come to discover that one of the themes of this age is “be true to yourself.”
Light to live by (Part 3 in the series, God moved into the neighborhood)
Have you ever gotten unwanted advice? If you’re like me, you’re not much up for getting advice you didn’t seek. Unless, that is, the advice comes from an expert. Imagine that you were at a park somewhere cooking some hamburgers…
Time and eternity
We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that…
A box and one basketball offense does not work in congregations
Many years ago I discovered a style of basketball defense played by small high schools called a box and one defense. Four players would form a box near the basket they were defending, and the fifth player would follow whoever…