If you’re anything at all like me when I was sitting in pews listening to my pastor during college, you may have thought something along the lines of “Cool story, bro. When do I get to tell you mine? Stop talking and listen.” By now you know that I was adopted, that I used to […]
Christian Buzzwords Series: Passion
Growing up as a student of drama, musicals, and show choir, I was often told to have “passion.” Directors of various kinds urged me to wear this passion on my sleeve, to connect with others by doing so, and to bear it all on the stage. In my memories of artistic expression, passion was tied […]
Those To Whom the Kingdom Belongs
“People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. And therefore Jesus said to his disciples, “Let the little children be sequestered, for we know not what they will do.” Luke 18:15-17. That’s not how it goes! Let’s try […]
TRUTHINESS
As far back as the 1950s, tobacco companies knew full well that research had linked their products to diseases which sickened and killed their customers. What was the industry response? Deny and discredit real science. Peddle alternative facts. Undermine the findings and reassure the public their products were safe. I still remember the ads for […]
SUMMER SABBATH REST
When we hear the word Sabbath, it is not just about Sunday. Sabbat(ical) is not just about what clergy or professors do for a few months after years of service. It is about who God is and what God did. Remember, after six days of creation, on the seventh day, God rested. Genesis describes the […]
An Elaboration
I want to flesh out some of the things I said in my sermon on June 16th. But first… Wow. I am still overwhelmed by the generosity, warm embrace, happiness, excitement, relief, hope, optimism, prayers, gifts, and all else I have received from you. As someone said to me, “our hearts are yours,” so too […]