Recent Articles
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.
December 22, 2022
Christmas Lights – Brought to You by a Jew from the Muslim World; Serra Mesa Volunteers, Church Gives Christmas ‘Hope’ to Ukrainian Refugees; This German Town is Obsessed with Christmas’ Most Controversial Tradition (and more)
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.
December 21, 2022
Christmas Carols and Alcoholic Cakes: Six Festive Traditions in the Arab World; How a Little Boy’s Hanukkah Wish Grew Into a Light Show that Brightens Brooklyn; Glad Tidings – Ten Feelgood Conservation Stories from 2022 (and more)
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.
December 20, 2022
Santa Brings Christmas Cheer to the Sea of Galilee; Indianapolis Muslim, Christian Faith Leaders Unite for Prayer Services; Arlington Street Church Wants to be a ‘Home for the Holidays’ for the LGBTQ Community (and more)
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.
Report Explains How Religious Tolerance Differs from Religious Freedom
Religious tolerance differs in significant ways from religious freedom, a new U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom report emphasizes. Authoritarian nations often focus on the former to deflect from oppressive, unjust policies.
December 19, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Christmas Tree is One of the Oldest Religious Traditions; In Haifa, Jews and Christian Arabs Celebrate Christmas Together; Bethlehem Welcomes Christmas Tourists After Pandemic Lull (and more)
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.
December 16, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood is a Force of Nature; What Happens When the Most Sacred Site of Your Religion is Slated to be a Copper Mine? This Activist is Trying to Stop it; We Declare You Restored: How Christian ‘Forgiveness’ is Deployed to Enable Abuse and Corruption (and more)
Two New Books Available from Nurturing Faith Books
Paul Wallace answers questions Christians ask scientists and Bruce C. Salmon reflects on a lifetime of offering eulogies in the newest titles from Nurturing Faith Books, the publishing imprint of Good Faith Media.
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.
Most U.S. Protestant Churches Will Hold Christmas and New Year’s Day Services
Is your church planning services on Christmas and New Year’s Day? If so, you are part of a strong majority who plan to do so, according to a LifeWay Research report.
December 15, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: LGBTQ Families React After President Biden Signs Respect for Marriage Act; Before Roe, a Baptist Preacher Performed Abortions in Secret. Now He’s Helping Texans.; This Spiritual Tradition Could be the Most Poetic Bereavement Therapy Ever Documented; Israel Blocks Gaza’s Christians from Celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem (and more)
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.
Political Affiliation Influences U.S. Perceptions of Discrimination Against Christians, Jews and Muslims
U.S. adults are more likely to say that Muslims face a great deal or moderate amount of discrimination than those who say Jews and Christians do. Responses varied significantly when analyzed based on political affiliation.
December 14, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: White Nationalists, Other Republicans Brace for ‘Total War’; Faith is the Key to Making Black Lives Matter, Says Religion Award Winner; Thousands Make Pilgrimage to Des Plaines in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe (and more)
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?