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…
We all need a Seacrest
I hate New Year’s. And no, not just because I’d rather paint a terribly ventilated bathroom than attempt to stay awake until midnight only to watch Jenny McCarthy make halting small talk with people who’ve been corralled in pens like…
Choosing your own Jesus
The Christ child has been born of Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid to rest in a manger. The angelic host has winged its way back to highest heaven. So, what do we do now?
We really do love you, honey, but…
While some parents like the surprise element, my wife and I wanted to know. I remember the moment with each of our boys. We headed to the doctor for a regular checkup with a bonus: an ultrasound. But, at 20…
The secret to congregational vitality revealed
The secret is really not a secret. It is well known by many congregational leaders. But, they do not accept it because they are looking for a magic act that brings quick vitality without deep commitment and persistent action. Too…
the jar is always smaller than the sky.
As a kid growing up in East Tennessee, there were few better ways to enjoy an oppressively sticky late summer evening, than attempting to catch lightnin’ bugs*. (*NOTE: I realize some of you may not be familiar with the colloquialism “lightnin’ bugs,” as…
A new day in America
We are entering a new day in America. Do you feel excited yet? New things always bring with them a bit of trepidation, but there’s so much buzz about this particular new day that it can’t be bad, right? Well,…