I caught the tale end of the discussion of a number of “Christian leaders” (that I couldn’t identify) on a television talk show on the topic of “holy hatred.” I learned that: hatred is a critical aspect of love it is not wrong for Christians to hate — in fact, to […]
Some people shouldn’t be allowed to own and display bumper stickers. Going home from the office, a little Honda swerved around me, causing me to slam on my breaks and almost hit another car in a turn lane. The driver popped his arm out the window and gave me a […]
In the scientific worlds of physics and astronomy an enormous effort is underway to discover a unifying force or principle that underlies all of creation. Scientists are pursuing nothing short of a theory of everything, or T.O.E. Since Einstein transformed our understanding of the known world, the universe, and […]
Just how stupid are we? This question leaps to mind almost every day, and it assaults my sensibilities. People in these United States love comfort, security, the familiar and known, and the vast majority of us simply want to live each day without fear. Why, then, do we do such […]
On a drive up to Oshkosh today, I passed a church sign (I don’t know what denomination or “flavor” of church) that read “God’s Final Answer – Are You Sure You Want to Hear It?” I may be completely off base, but I was troubled by what I interpret to […]
The reaction to the death of Michael Jackson has been fascinating to observe. The real flesh-and-blood person who was Michael Jackson is almost irrelevant. The myth, the image, the character (or caricature), and the concept of MICHAEL JACKSON eclipses any kind of appreciation for the man. Listening to all the […]
Today has been a day for introspection — thinking about the future by reflecting on the past. Thinking particularly about the three churches of my childhood and what they taught me about what it means — and doesn’t mean — to be church. And, at least in my case, three […]
Six year’s ago I worked with five Vanderbilt seminary students on a worship project. They attended dozens of Christian worship experiences in all sizes, shapes, forms, and cultures of United Methodist congregations, then we sat and “debriefed” each experience. One 27-year-old woman, Erin, an Episcopalian, made an unusual and provocative […]
For the last 48 hours life has been an out-of-control roller-coaster ride for my wife, our two cats, and me. All our worldly possessions are currently somewhere between Nashville, Tennessee and Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. We are sitting in our new (new to us, anyway) condo, preparing to launch/create a whole […]
Packing sucks. My wife and I are moving to Wisconsin and we could not be happier. It is a fantastic opportunity to be in ministry in a new place with a great group of people. We really want to be in Wisconsin, but getting there is a pain in the […]
United Methodeviations 