Recent Articles
Then, and Now
A trip to visit my father brought joy and sadness. Going through my 94-year-old father’s home after he moved to assisted living was like taking a journey through my family’s past.
Lenten Lectionary | From Despair to Confusion to Faith
There are several accounts of, and references to, the resurrection of Jesus in the Christian Testament. They offer different perspectives on, and details regarding, the central confession of Christianity.
Hope From Above: A Reflection on Enoch and Jude
The letter of Jude in a strange document. At only 25 verses, it is often overlooked in biblical studies. Yet, its vision, drawing on that of the Book of Enoch, offers an ultimately hopeful vision.
April 13, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Christians Continue to Leave Jerusalem Among Ongoing Instability; Future of American Churches Uncertain as Millennial Membership Declines, Reports Show; Men are Less Religious in Countries with More Gender Equality, Study Shows (and more)
‘My God, They Killed Him’
Holy Week is a good time to consider societal expectations. After all, Jesus is chief among the many martyrs who have dared to live above community standards in a way that cost them their lives.
Holy Week Through the Lens of Covenant Faith
The Easter narratives are so familiar that it can be challenging to find creative ways to engage the story. Here is fresh insight thanks to some thoughtful fellow pilgrims and a new look at a familiar text.
Health Care Workers in the Line of Fire
The attacks on medical facilities in Ukraine have brought attention to the concept of medical neutrality. Here is a brief overview of the concept, along with a few examples of when it has been violated.
April 12, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Christians Mark Palm Sunday With Jerusalem Procession; Media Attention Overwhelmes Website of Church Giving up ‘Whiteness’ for Lent; The Christian Right’s War on LGBTQ People Never Ended (and more)
Are You a Walking Contradiction?
Lent is not merely a season but a reminder to pay attention to those who are suffering. If our eyes are fixed on Jesus, then how can we ever look away?
It’s Well Past Time for U.S. to Become a Nation of Justice for All
I recently had two hard conversations with African American clients I have come to admire. These led me to reflect on the state of justice, or lack thereof, in the U.S.
Faith as the Clouds
The Bible speaks of faith in a wide variety of ways. A chance observation of clouds one day offered me yet another way to understand and reflect on faith.
April 11, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Faith, Science, and Francis Collins; Impressive Byzantine Mosaic Restored 30 Years After its Discovery, Made Available for the Public; Head of Russian Orthodox Church Seems a ‘Small Copy of Putin’ Some Say (and more)
Combating Christian Nationalism
Christian nationalism was a contributing factor in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Its ideology continues to have significant influence across the nation, and Christians of good faith must continue to oppose it.
New Nurturing Faith Books Now Available from Jon Roebuck and Larry Williams
New books from Jon R. Roebuck and Larry C. Williams are now available from Nurturing Faith Books, the publishing imprint of Good Faith Media. Both can be purchased from GFM’s bookstore, with free shipping.
Look Back | Resources for Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month
Lists of 20th-century genocides differ widely. Yet, six instances always appear: Armenia (1915), the Holocaust in Germany (1933), Cambodia (1975), Rwanda (1990), Bosnia (1995) and Darfur (2003).
April 8, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Spirituality and Ecology Go Hand in Hand to Preserve Traditions and Care for the Environment; Science vs. God: Understanding Reality is Not a Battle Between Reason and Faith; The Growing Religious Fervor in the American Right: ‘This is a Jesus Movement’; The Formerly Enslaved Man Whose Faith Inspired a Slave Revolt (and more)
People of Good Faith: Merrill J. Davies
Merrill Davies spent 31 years teaching high school English. Retired, she spends most of her time writing now. Her fifth novel, The Best Version of Alice, was recently released by Nurturing Faith Books.
What Christians Need to Know About the Rwandan Genocide
“Hotel Rwanda” provided my only knowledge about the Rwandan genocide until I audited a class that focused on this terrible event. Here is what I learned.
U.S. Majority Skeptical of Religious Claims for Vaccine Exemptions
A majority of U.S. adults are skeptical of the religious claims being cited by those seeking to avoid vaccination against COVID-19, according to a Pew Research Center report published March 31.
April 7, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Visibly Indigenous: How Milwaukee’s Native Community is Working to be Un-Erased; American Bible Society Releases 12th Annual State of the Bible Report: Scripture Reading Decreasing Among Americans; Chicago Church Says for Lent 2022 it is ‘Fasting from Whiteness’; Science Confirms that Life Flashes Before the Eyes Upon Death (and more)
The Eleven O’Clock News
A recent trip to Pennsylvania included a trip to an art museum. Several pieces stood out, prompting reflection on the circumstances depicted in the paintings, as well as those faced by the artists and what we’re experiencing today.
Lenten Lectionary | The ‘Subito Piano’ Following Palm Sunday
The energetic sounds of Jesus’ entry await us on Palm Sunday. But let us not allow the celebration to overshadow the ‘subito ‘piano’ that follows during Holy Week.
Russia, Ukraine and the Holodomor
“Holodomor” is a term derived from the Ukrainian words for “hunger” and “death.” It is the term used to identify a time of genocide enacted by the Soviet Union against peasant farmers who resisted its collectivization and ‘russification’ efforts.
April 6, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: As Spiritual Innovators Renew Religion, Will Their Traditions’ Wisdom Carry Forward?; Ukrainian Americans; The Dangerous Legal Structures of Hillsong Church (and more)
The Gift of Well-Placed Shame
No one likes to feel shame. We tend to defend ourselves and deflect from our actions rather than own up to, and repent of, the fact that we were wrong. Here is when, and why, shame can be constructive.
U.S. Genocide Determination, Rohingya Muslims and the Ongoing Crisis
The Rohingya are largely a Muslim minority living in the Rakhine state of Burma. They have faced genocide for years, but the U.S. has only recently acknowledged what is taking place.
Majority of U.S. Parents Concerned About Children’s Faith Formation
Most U.S. parents are concerned about the spiritual development, and long-term faith formation, of their children, a new report found. One group was far more likely than others to express higher levels of concern.
April 5, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The God Bless the USA Bible is Back – But Back-Ordered; This Alabama Chef Went from a Country Club to a Trailer; The First Jewish Justice was also the First to Face Confirmation Hearings (and more)
How Death Can Take on New Meaning
We’re all going to die. The ongoing pandemic has made us very aware of this reality. However, our inevitable death can take on new meaning.
Why There Is No Room for Neutrality
Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month begins as conspiratorial, dehumanizing totalitarianism continues to rise around the world. People of faith must commit to the pursuit of peace, truth and justice.