This is the second of three posts by Jason Coker, written in the days before and after his father died on Jan. 27. The first post can be read here. Jan. 16, 2015 I didn’t realize that this phone call…
Watchers — watching the one you love suffer
This is the first of three posts by Jason Coker, written in the days before and after his father died on Jan. 27. Jan. 15, 2015 I’m a watcher in this drama — the drama of my father’s death. The most…
christian cruise directing.
When I was 15 years old, I went on a Carnival cruise with my family to the Caribbean. “All good stories begin with a boat.” -Science There are few things that more aptly embody the zeitgeist of the modern American…
Before you criticize your pastor
Something your pastor or a church staff member has done has set you off. You can’t believe he or she had the audacity to do (or not do) or say (or not say) such a thing. Before shipping off a…
The spiritual practice of creating margin
There’s enough
Our economics matter as much as ever. It matters because what we consume and how we consume has a profound impact on our lives, as well as the health and well being of our neighbors and the planet at large….
American Sniper and the Power of the System
There are many viewers of “American Sniper” who consider Chris Kyle an American hero. Some of these, who are also Christians, even see him as an example of Christian heroism. These are folks who collapse obedience to God into obedience…
What the church can learn from Super Bowl commercials
Did you watch the Super Bowl on Sunday night? Not only did we have a thrilling game and an extravagant half-time show, but the commercials were a focal point of the night as they always are. The Super Bowl is…
Condolences should not come with a ‘but’ attached
A dear friend died who worked tirelessly for social justice during his life. Being a passionate person who relentlessly pursued what he thought was right, he caused more than 1 controversy in his life. He also helped people all around…
More rubato for our faith
Does your faith need a little more rubato and a little less strictness? All of us—and most all of creation—are designed in such a way that we have a solid framework of something behind us, just like a soft sofa…
The painful inevitability of moral conflict
Losing Grandma
It is rare that a phone call at 8 am on a Sunday morning is a good one. This past Sunday was no exception. We got the word that Tracy’s grandmother, Marie Berklich, passed away in the night at the…