Recent Articles
A Case for Ditching New Year’s Resolutions
Have you already made some resolutions for the new year? Before you make another, take a minute to read my case for why we should ditch our resolutions – and find out what I propose we do instead.
“Explain It Like We’re Kids, Jesus”
Sometimes we need to get into the weeds. That’s what Jesus did with his first followers. And it’s a central part of one of his parables in Matthew 13.
U.S. Adults More Likely to Support Building Churches Than Mosques
More U.S. adults favor adding new churches than those who say the same about mosques, according to a YouGov report. Younger adults are generally less supportive of having more houses of faith than older generations.
January 3, 2023
The Most Significant Religion Stories of 2022; Why Some People Celebrate Christmas in January; Buffalo Pastors Rescued More than 100 People and Housed Them in Their Church During the Historic Blizzard (and more)
Three New Titles Available from Nurturing Faith Books
Three new titles are now available from Nurturing Faith Books, Good Faith Media’s publishing imprint: ‘Windows for the Journey’ by Wallace W. Horton, ‘Think (Or Else!)’ by Maralene and Miles Wesner and ‘Stumbling to Zion,’ also by the Wesners.
Winter Solstice, Religious Festivals and Being the Light
Awakened early Christmas morning, my mind turned to what has been called ‘a shimmer around the edges’ and ‘a gleam.’ Considering common themes amount religious festivals this time of year, I felt a renewed call to be the light.
Look Back | Reflecting on Your Past as You Prioritize Your Future
New Year’s Day is right around the corner. We should use such moments to mark out fallow time to think back and think forward. This is a vital part in seeking to live wisely.
December 30, 2022
How the War in Ukraine Dominated This Year’s Online Search for Bible Verses; How the Battle Over Christian Nationalism Often Starts with Homeschooling; UMC’s North Georgia Church Conference Blocks Church Departures (and more)
Good Faith Media: 2022 Year in Review
As the world emerged from a global pandemic, Good Faith Media celebrated the global emergence by generating and distributing more educational, challenging and inspiring content than ever before. Here are some highlights from 2022.
Midnight Phone Calls and Maintaining Friendships
I love the night, but I’ve come to agree with my great-grandmother’s sentiment that ‘nothing good happens after midnight.’ Evening phone calls, like one I recently received, leave me feeling anxious and cold.
Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads
If the turmoil of the past few years caused you to reconsider any of your relationships, then you’ve likely already found this to be particularly true in the evangelical church, especially concerning issues of race.
December 29, 2022
State Lawsuits Defend Abortion Access with Religious Freedom; In Ireland, Primary Schools to Teach Foreign Languages as Religion Time Cut Under New Proposals; Orthodox Church In Lithuania Condemns Russian War in Ukraine, Calls for Greater Independent from Moscow (and more)
Religious, Spiritual People Actively Seek to Understand Differing Views
A Public Agenda survey shows religion and spirituality are quite common among Americans. Religious and spiritual people tend to actively seek to understand those with differing viewpoints.
It’s Immoral to Allow Inmates to Die of Treatable Diseases
A report found that more than 1,000 people in U.S. prisons died of complications related to Hepatitis C from 2013 to 2019. This is tragic and immoral, particularly because there is an effective treatment available.
A Third of U.S. Adults, Half of Christians Say We’re ‘Living in the End Times’
More than one third of U.S. adults believe that we are “living in the end times,” according to a Pew Research Center report. Historically Black Protestants and evangelical Protestants are the most likely religious groups to agree.
Questioning an Unspoken Holiday ‘Tradition’
With the Christmas tunes and décor being packed away, we need to change our tune and address an overlooked and under-appreciated part of the holiday: the work mostly done by women.
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.
U.S. Majority Says Social Media Bad for Democracy, Uncertain of Religious Impact
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults say that social media has been bad for democracy, according to a Pew Research Center report. The nation is less certain about the impact on religious groups.
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.
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)