By Bill Wilson Have you noticed our tendency to try and control others with rules? We started with Ten Commandments. That led to Jewish scholars noting that the Torah actually contains 613 commandments, which can be divided into 365 “negative…
The poor among you
By Ken Camp They gather at dawn at day-labor centers or designated parking lots where contractors hire workers. Some stop on their way to pick up a cheap breakfast taco at a convenience store, buying their meal from an employee…
An ancient story; still true in 2012
By Marv Knox Our Bible study class has been reading from the Old Testament prophet Amos in the weeks leading up to Easter. This is the season the church calls Lent, a period of preparation for commemorating Jesus’ death, burial…
Handling violence in ‘The Hunger Games,’ and the Bible
By J. Muckenfuss News is still buzzing with talk of The Hunger Gamesand its spectacular opening weekend. With three kids in my house who have read the book, we too were anticipating the opening. I took one of my girls…
Absorbing the violence
By Bill Leonard “We absorb so much violence and insecurity everyday that we are like time bombs ready to explode. We need to find a cure for our illness.” That quotation, taken from the book Living Buddha, Living Christ and…
North Carolina’s CBF focuses on reconciliation at assembly
By Robert Dilday Reconciliation topped the agenda of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina’s annual general assembly March 23-24, as worship services and workshops explored the organization’s role in enhancing Christian unity. Live into God’s gift of unity, BWA…
Trayvon and Troy
By Zachary Bailes In the past week people gathered to hold vigils, protests and to speak out for the one who can no longer speak: Trayvon Martin. We find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of understandable fury and anger over…
Can we tell the truth?
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan At a recent writing workshop the presenter offered this advice. “If you want to write well, if you want to connect with your audience,” she offered, “you always must tell the truth. There’s nothing that can…
How firm a foundation
By Luke Smith “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That…
Planner defends sexuality conference
By Bob Allen A lead planner of an upcoming Baptist sexuality conference says the event has nothing to do with disagreement among Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leadership about the CBF’s policy against hiring gays. David Gushee David Gushee, director of Mercer…
Working with someone who saved a country
By Amy Butler The objective of the community organizer was to help our church discover projects about which we are passionate, ideas for mission and ministry in our city. She began by asking everyone in the circle to mention one…
NAACP delegation meets with Franklin Graham
By Bob Allen Nineteen black religious leaders visited the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., March 20 to meet with evangelist Franklin Graham. The visit by the NAACP delegation came three weeks after Graham, president and CEO of…