An old idiom, usually attributed to Oscar Wilde, says that irony is wasted on stupid people. But not everyone who fails to appreciate irony is a mindless dolt. Some of them are quite clever, aiming their malformed wit in the…
Today, I’ve got nothing to say
I’ve got nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. It never has happened before, but I’ve been trying to write this piece since Jan. 6. And I’ve got nothing. For about five years, I’ve enjoyed this platform. Many would give their writing hand…
Trying to make sense of January 6: Jesus wept
I watched the bizarre assault live on television as I rocked an infant in my arms. I have spent every waking minute reading eyewitness accounts, listening to podcasts and watching cable news. I’m trying to understand. I’m asking myself if…
Insurrection postscript: The church’s one foundation isn’t the USA
On Jan. 6, as our family watched in real time, thousands of insurrectionists took over the U.S. Capitol, and the words of two 17th century Colonial Americans raced across my memory. Governor John Winthrop, arriving at Massachusetts Bay on the…
It’s hard to quit Herod, but we must worship another
After the events of Jan. 6, I spent days not knowing what to think, much less what to write in a pastoral letter to my congregation. Since that day was Epiphany on the church calendar, for a while, I was…
Unification will happen only after repentance
Matthew 4:8-10: “Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to him, ‘All these things will I give you, if you fall down…
10 prayers for 2021 (if we survive January)
My favorite meme of the new year: “I’d like to cancel my subscription to 2021. I’ve experienced the free seven-day trial, and I’m not interested.” As post-holiday COVID-19 deaths surged the first week of January, a sitting president incited a…
Why ‘moderate’ churches fear telling it like it is
Just over four years ago, when Donald Trump was elected president, I was working for a self-styled “moderate” Baptist church in East Tennessee. One of the (mostly) unspoken rules of this and many other moderate Baptist churches like it across…
4 things you can do to counter the millions of Americans who are fully radicalized
“Remember, all journalists are soft targets, and are fair game in the coming revolution! Don’t be afraid to take reporters down by any means necessary!” — unknown user on Parler “Get the firing squads ready.” — LLinWood on Parler “Many…