Opinion
Learning From a Scorched-Earth Sermon
Matthew 23 is a barn burner, a scorched-earth sermon. From this chapter, we learn that Jesus has little patience with religious hypocrisy. Actually, that is a profound understatement.
Embers in the Street: A Christmas Morning Story
The Christmas season provides an opportunity to remember those whose presence matters most to us and to shine a light on them.
No Tokens for Christmas
Holidays ads have really gotten under my skin this year. They seem to center the same, limited groups of people each year, sometimes given the briefest reference or sight of diversity. This is tokenism, and it’s problematic.
Look Back | Christmas Presence
During the 26 years I served as a pastor, few Christmas seasons passed that did not find me sermonizing on the importance of presence over presents. I still think about it.
A Christmas Miracle I Had to Live to Believe
This happened to me on December 24, 1997. I have to tell you that first because I wouldn’t believe this story myself had I not lived it. Call it a miracle or call it a thin place – God showed up that day.
Cloud Life
A drive into the cloud-covered mountains of western North Carolina recalled being urged to “get my head out of the clouds” as a child. We must work to create our hopes and dreams while we’re here.
Why I Love Preaching on Absurdity
A colleague’s question about my favorite preaching topic caught me off guard. After a moment’s reflection, I settled on absurdity. Here is why.
Moving From Fear to Joy
God’s first messengers moved from fear to joy and love. Their journey is one that we all need to take. So, how do we move from fear to joy?
Where, and What, Is Heaven?
Pearly gates, gold-paved streets, mansions and harp-playing angels in the “sweet by-and-by” are among the images associated with heaven for many. But is any of it true or accurate?
Medical Malpractice: Sterilization of Indigenous Peoples Without Consent in Greenland, U.S.
The Danish government directed medical providers to implant intrauterine devices in Inuit women and girls from Greenland beginning in the 1960s. The U.S. conducted a similar practice among Indigenous women in the 1970s.
Unwrapping Christmas | Murder of the Innocents
Jesus’ birth announcement received mixed reviews. Any retelling of his story should bear witness to grief as some people will experience it this Christmas season.
Wisdom Wherever You Find It | Time Enough for Love
These are pretty dreary times. For the individual who begins with a sour view of humanity as the point of origin, none of this is a surprise. For others, we must find time enough for love.
What Was Joseph Thinking?
While the attention needs to focus on the mother of Jesus, I’ve often wondered what was going on in Joseph’s head. In looking at the story, we see that God’s understanding of righteousness differed significantly from Joseph’s original understanding.
Tragic Death of tWitch Part of Long, Ongoing History of Mental Health as Taboo Topic
I hate to be a Christmas party pooper, but this is not “the most wonderful time of the year” for everyone. For many families, the birth of Jesus will be overshadowed by the death of a loved one.
Jan Karski, the Joint Declaration and Condemning Atrocities
The first formal international statement about the atrocities of the Holocaust was released on December 17, 1942. It was long-overdue based on the world’s knowledge of Nazi atrocities and resulted in large part from the work of Jan Karski.
Look Back | Like Mary, Do You Believe God Will Right Injustice?
God cannot wait for mortals to get it right (we never will), so God comes among us in the frailest form of human life, and Mary is God’s first earthly home. She has found favor with God.
The Evolution of U.S. Evangelicals
Evangelicals have become an angry and selfish lot within U.S. society. These are harsh words that I take no pleasure in writing, but sadly, it is true.
Advent Lectionary | The Embodied Christ
Controversy surrounds the birth of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel. Fewer details are provided about Mary’s conception than in Luke’s Gospel, but the difficulties this unwed pregnancy causes are clear.
By the Way | Books, Novels and the Virtues of Failure
Wrapping up another academic term, I was faced with a student who had neglected his studies coming to plead with me to raise his grade so he could graduate. This offered “food for thought” on the virtues of failure.
Making up for Lost Causes
The term “Lost Cause” did not enter my vocabulary until well into adulthood, but its influence was deeply (and quietly, as intended) ingrained. It remains so today in many pews across the southern U.S.
Rethinking Generosity
After a slew of Giving Tuesday emails, it is a good time to step back and reconsider generosity. How do we prevent the fear of not having enough from becoming the motivation that controls our entire life?
Unwrapping Christmas | Is There a Difference Between Merry Christmas and Merry Xmas?
He says, “Christmas.” She says, “Xmas.” Some Christians disagree on how an invitation to celebrate Jesus’ birth should read. It reveals how little some of us know about early Christian symbols and traditions.
The Highway of Advent
The massive road-building project that is the interstate highway system divided communities across the nation, creating situations of injustice and inequality. By contrast, Advent reminds us of a divine road-building project that is bringing justice and equity.
Blowing the Whistle on Human Rights Violations
Last week, an all-female referee crew took the pitch at a World Cup match for the first time. It was significant moment that offered a reminder that we need to promote and defend women’s rights around the world.
Report Details How Some Faith Groups Were Blamed for the Pandemic
On November 29, Pew Research Center published a report showing how government restrictions have impacted religious groups and their sacred spaces specifically. It also detailed how religious groups were blamed for the pandemic.
Look Back | Overcoming the Politics of Fear with Faith
The politics of fear afflicts our culture and infects our congregations. So, perhaps the rightful role of faith in politics is to overcome fear.
Enjoying ‘the Beautiful Game’
Despite the U.S. team being eliminated, my passion for following the rest of the World Cup 2022 has not been diminished. I’m enjoying the beauty of ‘the beautiful game,’ while committing to protest injustices of the host nation.
Red Hot Revenge
A near disaster on Thanksgiving Day due to a faulty oven was saved by a Google search and quick thinking. The malfunction led to some reflection on the state of our society, particularly when it comes to political division.
Advent Lectionary | Giving Voice to the Wilderness
The legendary Sandy Ray once declared, “The wilderness needs a voice.” The lectionary texts for the penultimate Sunday of Advent this year do just that.
Why Citizenship Matters
Citizenship matters. Not in some ethereal or patriotic sense of pride at being a citizen of a certain nation, but in tangible ways that confer rights and protections not afforded to non-citizens.